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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Aneroid wall barometer in carved wood brass and glass late 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Wall-mounted aneroid barometer made of carved wood, brass, and glass, an instrument whose pressure-sensitive organ is a metal box called a barometric capsule.
English manufacture of...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Signed 19th Century Mahogany and Brass Telescope on Custom Oak Wall Mount
Located in San Francisco, CA
An English mahogany and brass single draw telescope made and signed by William Bruce, Kings Head Court Shoe Lane London, circa 1830. This handsom...
Category
1830s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Field Glasses / Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo - With Compass
By Lawrence and Mayo
Located in Bath, GB
A superb and very handsome pair of the unusual and sought-after "Lynx" binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo, dating to c.1900. These English pocket sized Field glasses or binoculars are m...
Category
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1860s Torricellian Barometer Oak Wood Negretti & Zambra Old Weather Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian barometer of oak wood, signed Negretti & Zambra London from the second half of the 19th century, complete with reading vernier for checking the pressure variation and thermometer.
Height 98 cm - 10.6 inches, width 27 cm - 38.5 inches, depth/thickness 5 cm - 1.96 inches.
Very good condition, fully functional.
For safety during transport the barometer will be shipped emptied of mercury. The mercury will be placed in a sealed container in the package together with the barometer.
When it was discovered, that changes of atmospheric pressure are connected to changes of weather, barometers became very popular.
Evangelista Torricelli...
Category
1860s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Early 19th century brass surveyor's level with compass
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century brass surveyor's level with telescope, compass and spirit level.
With original brass mounted pine case.
Telescope length: 18 1/4 inches. - 46.5 cm.
Fitting for tripod mount, now re-mounted on a modern brass plate for desk top display.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A land surveying square, France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Octagonal brass land surveying square. Each side has a slot, which allows to aim the distance and evaluate 90 and 45 degrees when measuring the field. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Dolland & Co 1890 Brass Telescope with Mahogany box with accessori
By Dolland
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Large Antique Dolland & Co 1890 Brass Telescope with Mahogany box with accessories. This amazing historic telescope dating back to 1890 with original labelled case has all working ac...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Made Solid Brass Marine Barometer
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished solid brass nautical barometer by WM Senter & Co. WM Senter and Company was in business from 1869 to 1888 at 51 Exchange St in Portl...
Category
1880s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Trade Scale Brass and Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France. It was a scale used by traders for retail
Brass and Cast-Iron
Patina and signs of use which make this antique object ver...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Alnmått (Cubit measure) in iron with gilded details. Baroque, dated 1731
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Alnmått (Cubit measure) in iron with gilded details. Baroque, dated 1731. Provenance: Baron Carl Emanuel Cederström, great collector during the mid-19th Century in Sweden.
W...
Category
1730s Swedish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
George III Banjo Mahogany Barometer by R. Taylor, Chepstow, England c. 1820
By R. Taylow
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Four-dial Barometer/Thermometer in Mahogany, dating from the George III period, and English in origin. Signed at the base "R. Taylor Chepstow". The barometer with swan neck pedim...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Ernst Plank Steam Engine
Located in Madrid, ES
The Ernst Plank steam engine is a fascinating and remarkable piece, especially the Union model with dimensions of 43x14x14 cm. Manufactured by the Ernst Plank brand, this steam engin...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Antique Cast Iron & Lacquered Brass Max Kohl Type Didactic Balance Device
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th / 20th century didactic balance device, probably made for use in a physics laboratory or classroom. In the Style of Max Kohl (1853-1908), all in lacquered brass, a semi-circular...
Category
Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open.
The original use was a flea trap, things were different in the old days and...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Brass Ashtray Advertising a Philadelphia Dealer in Artificial Human Eyes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An odd obscura collectible in the form of a rare, antique brass advertising ashtray.
The ashtray is engraved with "H.E. Baldwin - Philadelphia / A...
Category
19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Silver Brass Pocket Sundial Compass French, circa 1780
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
Silver brass octagonal dial with fo...
Category
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver, Brass
Plaster paper plaster and glass teaching model of the eye France late 1800s.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical teaching model made of plaster cast paper and glass of the human eye fully disassembled, mounted on ebonized wooden board. French manufacture of the late 19th century. Th...
Category
1890s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gesso
Early Victorian Walnut with Mother of Pearl Inlayed Stick Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Early Victorian walnut with mother of pearl inlayed stick barometer, 19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Canada Post Office Balance Scale with Cast Metal Base and Brass Accents
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique postal scale is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Canada and date to approximately 1952 and done in the Late Victorian ...
Category
Late 19th Century Canadian Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
18th Century Louis XVI-Style Barometer in Gilded Wood adorned with Doves
Located in NICE, FR
We present you this exceptionally rare square-shaped Louis XVI-style barometer from the 18th century, crafted from gilded wood. Its pale blue wallpaper background is protected by co...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th Century Brass and Wooden Jewelry Scale
Located in High Point, NC
Loyally underhand for quickly weighing out gemstones and precious medals, this trustworthy sidekick was once the prized tool for the detailed work of the jeweler. Made in France in t...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pair of Neoclassical Apothecary Jars by Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux
By Old Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Neoclassical Apothecary Jars by Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux
France, Circa 1870s
Signed : Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux a Collin paris 90 Rue de Rivoli
W...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Porcelain
Unique Antique Water Filter, 19th Century
Located in Udenhout, NL
This is a very unique and antique water filter from
Brussels, Belgium.
Category
1870s Belgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Brass Three-Draw Telescope, 19th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This antique three-draw telescope dates to the 19th century. Solidly crafted with brass draws and a brass barrel wrapped in leather, this antique telescope is a beautiful example of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open.
The original use was a flea trap, things were different in the old days and...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Large French 19th Century Brass and Steel Scale with Weighing Pans and Column
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French brass and steel scale from the 19th century with central column and two weighing pans. Embrace the charm and sophistication of the 19th century with this exquisite French br...
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu And Patinated Bronze Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French 19th century Louis XIV st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze barometer, after Torricelli. The circular patinated bronze face has the eight enameled plaques depicti...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Brass and Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pair of stunning miniature binoculars, or opera glasses, crafted from brass and clad in iridescent mother of pearl inlaid pieces. Dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Rare anatomical model: an external and inner ear, Italy end of 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a separable external and internal ear, complete in all its parts, made of plaster and painted paper mache, metal hooks. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Shibayama Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by Lemaire
Located in London, GB
A superb and incredibly rare pair of gilt bronze and mother of pearl Shibayama opera glasses by Lemaire in its original leather carry case. The beautiful mother of pearl case...
Category
1880s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Table Sundial And Compass
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
Brass sundial with folding gnoman. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large 19th Century Hourglass
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
A large 19th century hour glass, o...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th Century Medical Science Research Artifact
Located in London, GB
19th Century Medical Science Research Artifact
A fine example of 19th Century medical science research artifact, in two sections and not hinged. A d...
Category
1850s Unknown Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber
Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, Italy end of 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made of plaster, glass and painted paper mache, metal hooks. Italy ci...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Anatomical model: a woman’s human bust dissection. Italy end of 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare anatomical model for class, depicting a woman’s human bust dissection with all removable organs, complete in all its part. Made out of painted plaster and paper mache, mounted o...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Terrestrial Globe Ludwig Julius Heymann, Circa 1880
Located in Madrid, ES
Terrestrial Globe Ludwig Julius Heymann, Circa 1880
Globe 10 cm in diameter with a marble base held by metal putty. Nineteenth century. Dimensions: 46 cm high 7.14 cm diameter
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
19th Century Hand Carved Oak "Military" Barometer
Located in North Salem, NY
Very unusual hand carved Oak "Military" aneroid barometer from England. Circa 1880. Often antique items like this can be highly collectible and are often sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of vintage scientific instruments...
Category
1880s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Barometro torricelliano a mercurio in legno firmato A. Pozzi attivo tra 1820/30
Located in Milan, IT
Barometro torricelliano a mercurio in legno di mogano, con doppia filettatura laterale in legno di cedro e di ebano, firmato A. Pozzi Wootton Bassett attivo tra il 1822 e il 1830. Lo...
Category
1820s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open.
The original use was a flea trap, things were different in the old days and...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
French Planetary Clock InGided Brass And Marble Planetarium Tellurium
Located in Madrid, ES
French Planetary Clock In Golden Brass And Tellurium Marble, Planetarium
Rare French planetary from the 19th century in brass and Royal Red marble base...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
19th Century Victorian Weighing Scales By J White & Son, c.1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Victorian grocers scales consist of a cast iron base with a ridged brass column supporting a cast iron balancing arm from which white glazed stoneware plate is s...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "La Ville Paris" Ca 1890
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury French Opera Glasses with fancy lorgnette style handle and gilt metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and on...
Category
1890s French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
English Regency Gilt Figural and Ebonized Dital Harp, Maker E. Light, Circa 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Regency gilt stenciled figural and floral ebonized dital harp signed by maker Edward Light. Retailed at Srohl Foley place London, Early 19th century.
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, Ebony, Wood, String
Large Impressive 1800s Kalidoscope
Located in Peekskill, NY
This scope is unsigned and was acquired from a European collector. It could be American but I'm guessing its not. The eyepiece and turning mechanism are brass. The tube is canvas wra...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, 1805-1810 Circa
Located in Milano, IT
Charles-François Delamarche
Ptolemaic armillary sphere
Paris, circa 1805-1810
Wood and papier-mâché
covered with printed and partly hand-coloured paper
It measures 15.74” in height, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper, Wood
A Wellington commemorative barometer retailed by Wehrle and Steuert
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This carved giltwood barometer is in the form of a military trophy of arms surmounted by a ducal coronet. It comprises a sword hilt, cannon barrels and standards surrounding a portr...
Category
1850s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Large Late 18th Century Hourglass
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
A large 18th century hour glass, o...
Category
Late 18th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
A Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, Liverpool
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, Liverpool. The 10 ¾-inch silvered dial of this walnut barometer is set within the arms of an anchor and a coil of double twisted rope which passes over a ring handle. The dial is inscribed in Spanish and the scale in both Fahrenheit and ‘Beaumur’. It is The trunk inset with a thermometer. Inscribed Gray & Keen, Liverpool on the dial. English and Italian, circa 1860.
Height: 37in (94cm) Width: 17in (43cm)
Gray and Keen from Liverpool exhibited in the Designers and Manufacturers Hall of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The official catalogue entry reads ‘Wheel barometer, designed for use in naval establishments’ and ‘Gothic wheel barometer’s. For a similar rope twist barometer...
Category
1860s European Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open.
The original use was a flea trap, things were different in the old days and...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Trade Scale Brass and Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France; It was a scale used by traders for retail
Brass and Cast-Iron
Patina and signs of use which ma...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Brass
Barometer In Walnut-19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
walnut barometer from the 19th century from England
The thermometer works and the barometer mechanism is present
In superb condition and very beautiful patina
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Wonderful Benjamin Pike & Sons (New York) Circa 1850 Theodolite
Located in Placerville, CA
This is a Wonderful Pike & Sons Theodolite (166 Broadway) complete with Box & Tripod. American made 19th century Theodolites are VERY common. Finding one in great shape with its or...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Brass-Mounted Rosewood Complete Apothecary Case, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare complete antique English London-made apothecary case, circa 1880.
Rosewood with Brass Mounts.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Wooden Plate, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia, 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A wonderful wooden wabi sabi plate from Scandinavia, circa 1800s. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use.
Measures:
Ø: 2...
Category
19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Langlois Graphometer - Circa 1730
Located in Placerville, CA
This is a BEAUTIFUL Graphometer made by the premier instrument maker in France, Claude Langlois, after Bion and Butterfield had stopped making instruments.
As discussed on my Graphometer - Semicircle webpage, the French produced a good number of Graphometers from 1600 to about 1850. And a fair number of these Graphometers are still around. If you want to add a really nice Graphometer to your collection, this Langlois merits serious consideration for these reasons:
1. While not as well-known internationally as Bion and Butterfield, Langlois was The Man in France after Bion and Butterfield had passed away.
2. The President of Harvard College...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, by Berenger & Co, Lyon
France, Circa 1870
A stunning Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, crafted by the renowned Berenger & Co of Lyon during the mid to late 19th Century. This remarkable brass shop keepers, assay or pharmacist scale...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
English Pathologist Box Made of Mahogany with Brass, Including Instruments
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Curious antique English box made of mahogany with brass details, inside which are the working instruments of a pathologist. The division of the interior of the box is covered in red ...
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage, New and Antique Scientific Instruments
Decorating with vintage, new and antique scientific instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.
The Age of Discovery (or the Age of Exploration) refers to a period during the 15th to 18th centuries that saw Europeans taking to the high seas to explore, trade and conquer various regions of the world. What we know about geography, the advancement of sea vessels and the development of scientific instruments all broadened significantly during this time.
With every new finding about our world, scientists invented tools to measure and record. While many of these objects are now obsolete, they are essentially works of art and have a rich history. Scientific instruments of a bygone era represent how far science and technology have advanced.
If you’re interested in introducing antique scientific instruments and tools to your decor to add contrast or draw attention to otherwise unexplored corners of your living room or dining room, there are many options to consider as far as textures and colors go. Like any curious decorative object that draws attention to your home library or mantel, vintage scientific instruments will likely add spirit to any conversation that might take place over cocktails or dinner.
Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.
Mid-century modern scientific instruments also capture a period of rapid progress, representing groundbreaking discoveries that defined the 20th century. Wouldn’t antique anatomical models of the 1950s pair well with your eye-catching abstract paintings, George Nelson clock or Florence Knoll sofa?
Whether you’re looking for a way to showcase your passion for chemistry or aviation or are making room in your foyer for a breathtaking industrial-style electronic time tower manufactured by Patek Philippe, 1stDibs offers a collection of vintage, new and antique scientific instruments that includes topographic tools, laboratory equipment and more.
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