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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1950s
Spyglass round section brass and leather focus 3 extensions 1850
Located in Milan, IT
Round-section brass telescope with leather-covered handle and three-extension focus, complete with sunshade extension and dust cover tabs. English manufacture of the mid-19th centur...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Cardboard round section telescope with four extensions and brass ferrules
Located in Milan, IT
Rare round cardboard scope with four extensions and brass ferrules, german manufacture from the early 19th century. Excellent state of conservation. Maximum length cm 95 - 37.4 in,...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Italy, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Roma, IT
Antique bronze mortar. Handmade with pestle. Original patina Mortar from pharmacy or herbalist. Italian bronze mortar and pestle Measure: Pe...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Other Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Pewter enema syringe with piston action, 19th century
Located in Delft, NL
Pewter enema syringe with piston action, 19th century Five enema syringes made of pewter, one of which has a wooden handle. Two pieces marked with the German brand Hauptner of 30 gr...
Category

19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Pewter

Victorian Bronze Imperial Standard Bushel Measure
Located in Essex, MA
Impressively large bushel measure for the County Of Gloucester, England. Inscribed "Imperial Standard Bushel". "County Of Gloucester". Made by Bate of London. Dated 1853 and 1834. ...
Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Engraved boxwood sun clock English manufacture mid-19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Engraved boxwood diptych sun clock with brass hinges and locking hooks, book-shaped, mid-19th-century English manufacture. The clock has an orientation compass inserted in the base w...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

19th Century Set of 3 Victorian Set Squares
Located in High Point, NC
This is a set of three antique shipwright's set squares. The squares are made from oak and have brass caps. They are right-angled tools, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. ...
Category

19th Century English 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

English Stick Barometer by Worthington of London
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional English stick barometer is a classic example of these intriguing meteorological instruments. Crafted by the esteemed Worthington & All...
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

English Victorian Brass Telescope
Located in Queens, NY
English (Scottish) Victorian brass tabletop telescope with 3 legged iron base.
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian 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 d...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

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

1890 Small Antique Nautical Brass Pelorus Boyce-Meyer Pelorus Bronxonville N.Y
Located in Milan, IT
Antique small brass Pelorus, signed Boyce-Meyer Pelorus Bronxonville N.Y., made in the late of the XIX century. It has a sight system with a compass card with eight winds and goniome...
Category

1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century German “Magic Lantern” Image Projector with Brass Lens
Located in Middleburg, VA
A captivating piece of pre-cinema history, this 19th-century German "magic lantern" image projector is an evocative relic from the dawn of visual storytelling. Crafted circa 1890, th...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Metal, Steel, Iron, Sheet Metal, Tin

German Globe by C. Abel-Klinger, Nuremberg, circa 1860
Located in Milano, IT
Terrestrial globe Artistic company C. Abel - Klinger Nuremberg, circa 1860 H cm 31 x 22 cm (12.20 x 8.66 in); sphere 14 cm (5.51 in) in diameter lb 2.30 (kg 1.04) State of conservation: good. On the sphere there are slight visible signs of accidental bumping at the poles, as well as on New Guinea and England (vertical and more visible); some ink stains, especially at the South Pole and on the meridian that crosses North America. The globe is composed of twelve whole gores of printed paper, juxtaposed and glued on a sphere made with a chalky base mixture. The circle of the meridian, made of brass...
Category

1860s German Other Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

19th C. Portuguese Nautical Brass Gimbal Mounted Barometer
Located in North Miami, FL
SIGNED J.J.B.L.M - 16 a 22 RN Desterro Lisbon to face, this barometer is a very Rare and unusual mid-19th century polished brass marine barometer mounted on a gimble, the steel face ...
Category

Late 19th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique terrestrial telescope. An English, single drawer refractor with National Service League mark, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. Perfect for bird watch...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Decorative Antique Victorian 1890 James Beall Morrison Treadle Dentist Drill
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian, circa 1890 James Beall Morrison Treadle Dentist drill Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international. Dental treadle drill, English manufacture, 1890-1940 The foot pedal is pushed up and down to power this dental drill. It is also known as a ‘treadle drill’. The drill removed areas of tooth decay. These can become infected and painful if untreated. The treadle drill was invented in 1871 by American dentist James Beall Morrison (1829-1917). He also designed dental chairs. His drill was popular with dentists throughout Europe and America. It is an example of the first mechanically powered drill. These sped up dental treatments This one seems to be in fully working order from what I can see, it’s a real survivor but then that’s not surprising, things made in the Victorian era were made to last Dimensions Height:- 144cm Width:- 52.5cm Depth:- 38cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid This item is available for collection from our Pulborough warehouses RH20 1DF. We can have it delivered nationwide to include Scotland Wales and Ireland. Please contact me via email or my contact information...
Category

1890s English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

French enamel, brass and mother of pearl Opera Glasses
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French enamel, brass and mother of pearl opera glasses, pink enamelled and jewelled barrels, with mother of pearl caps. Go...
Category

1880s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Enamel

19th Century Bronze Skeleton
Located in Round Top, TX
A sensational 19th century skeleton in bronze originating from the Louvain University Of Medicine - Belgium. An excellent addition to any doctor...
Category

19th Century Belgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Antique Decorative Butcher's Steelyard, English, Iron, Weighing Instrument, 1800
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustment of balance weight The Steel...
Category

Early 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

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 d...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Giltwood Barometer "Selon Toricelli"
Located in Madrid, ES
Barometer end of the 18th century, Directorie, in carved and gilded wood, by Selon Toriceli, with allegory music wing on the top, beautiful patina, and decorative barometer...
Category

19th Century French Directoire Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Antique Steel and Wood Chisels
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A set of antique steel and wood chisels with bronze collars. One steel nail punch. CREATOR Stanely. Buck Brothers. E.A. Berg Eskilstuna. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1850-1...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Steel

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 d...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th century pewter hourglass
Located in Bilzen, BE
A 19th century 4-column hourglass made entirely of pewter. Height 17.5 cm, base 10 x 10 cm.
Category

19th Century German Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Pewter

Antique Officer of the Watch Telescope, English, After Dollond, Victorian, 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique 'officer of the watch' telescope. An English, single draw refractor for terrestrial or astronomical use in the manner of Dollond of London, dating to the late...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Antique Black Forest Foliate Carved Walnut Barometer C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Black Forest Foliate Carved Walnut Barometer C1890 Measures- 11.75"H x 9.75"W x 2"D
Category

Late 19th Century Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Antique Late 19th Century Wooden Abacus with Brass Rods and Wood Beads
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique late 19th-century wooden abacus is a timeless tool of calculation, showcasing beautifully crafted natural wood beads in alternating shades of brown and black. The frame ...
Category

1890s Czech Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Glazed Specimen Box Containing Wheat Agricultural Scientific Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rustically produced 19th century glazed specimen box containing wheat and grain hybrids. The pine hinged box opens to reveal two glazed and segmented sections, with a painted blue...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine

A barometer signed jecker, Paris 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Antique mahogany wall barometer composed of a glass tube containing mercury with its reserve. On the upper part a gable-shaped pediment and a screwed brass plate with a small alcohol...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English Late 19th Century Large Brass Table Scale and Weights
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning, large brass table scale, made near the turn of the century, England. The scale is no longer operational, but still makes an mighty impact on a space. The scale is made of...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Brass, Copper, Iron

Box of mid-19th century compasses housed in their tuia burl box
Located in Milan, IT
Box of mid-19th century compasses, housed in their original tuia burl box, nickel-plated brass and ivory instruments, velvet and satin interior, lock and hinges in brass. Embossed ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Wooden Viennese Pharmacy Containers in the Set of 22 Pieces
Located in Vienna, AT
Wooden Viennese pharmacy containers of the late 19th century, in a set of 22 pieces. The containers with lids are made of boxwood and printed with the names of various spices in ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Boxwood

Set of Nine 19th C English Victorian Treen Ware Boxwood Medicine Bottle Holders
Located in Haarlem, NL
A set of nine 19th century Victorian treen turned boxwood medicine bottle holders. These containers were used for protecting delicate items such as glass apothecary bottles, perfume bottles, syringes, powder, ointment bottles, thermometers and other medical or vanity items. In two of the containers are glass bottles. Measurements: Large 18.5cm high, 8.5cm diameter, empty Large 18cm high, 8cm diameter, empty Medium 14.5cm high, 5.5cm diameter, glass bottle without stopper (wood chipped) Medium 13cm high, 6cm diameter, empty (crack in wood) Medium 12cm high, 5cm diameter, perfumed oil in glass bottle Medium 11cm high, 5cm diameter, empty Small 10cm high, 4cm diameter, talcum powder...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Boxwood

Victorian Aneriod Wall Barometer
Located in Norwich, GB
Victorian Aneriod Barometer with gilded and chased outer casing mounted on a mahogany board. Beautifully engraved silvered dial with seven weather indications, the scale reading f...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Ornamental Turning Lathe, No. 1906 by Holtzapffel & Co
Located in New Orleans, LA
An essential tool in the creation and finishing of furniture, this 19th-century English ornamental lathe is an object of beauty in and of itself. The extraordinary machine...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique Apothecary Mortar and Pestle, English, Brass, Chemist, Victorian, C.1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique apothecary mortar and pestle. An English, brass chemist's shop aid, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian 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 d...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Collection of 19th and 20th Century Spoke Shaves
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Collection of antique 19th century wood spoke shaves and early 20th century steel spoke shaves. CREATOR Stanley, Made in England. Kunz, Made in Germany. DATE OF MAN...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Antique Scientific Model of the Non-Poisonous Snake of Natricidae Family 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Model of the European non-poisonous snake belonging to the Natricidae family. German manufacture of hand-painted rubber and plastic dated to the 1950s, from the Hygiene Museum in Dre...
Category

1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rubber

Fassamano Tortoise Antique Eyeglasses French Manufacture XIX century
Located in Milan, IT
Double fassamano eyeglasses (from the French face-en-main), made with a double articulated eyewear, one with lenses and one without, mounted on the upper part, signed Lugene, made of...
Category

1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

19th Century Parlor Kaleidoscope by C.G. Bush & Co. of Providence, RI
By Charles G. Bush & Co
Located in Nantucket, MA
C.G. Bush & Co. parlor kaleidoscope on a turned mahogany pedestal with splayed legs, the cylindrical body of black colored textured cardstock with ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

A small mid 19th C brass telescope with an original folding brass tripod stand
Located in Central England, GB
This fine and very rare small scale brass telescope is a delightful piece of Victorian engineering with quality optics. The telescope has a fixed barrel with an unusual focusing mec...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Davis of London, Victorian, 1860
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3 draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor by Davis of London, dating to the mid Victorian period, cir...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Precision demountable scale for travel, France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Apothecary traveling scale entirely demountable. All the pieces fits inside the front drawer. Oak wood box, brass elements and glasses. Glass protection sides. France 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Italian Brass Land-Surveyor Instrument Made in 1860 with its Original Walnut Box
Located in Milan, IT
Land-surveyor squaring, measuring instrument made of brass, Italian manufacture, from the second half of the 19th century, complete with original walnut box. It is a topographic inst...
Category

1860s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Feench Barometer Antique Scientific Instrument Weather Misure
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden barometer with cedar wood trim at the edges, signed Caux Opticien Rue Rivoli près du Louvre Paris, mid-19th century; dial with the meteorological indications on paper printed ...
Category

1850s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Blunt and Company Maritime Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Mid-nineteenth century ships compass by Blunt and Company of New York. The Blunt name was involved in the maritime trade from 1824 to 1885. The name Blunt and Co. was used from 1868 to 1872 by Edmund Blunt Jr. This is a spun brass bowl compass fitted to a dovetailed wood box...
Category

1870s American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th century Danish carved walnut barometer
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Danish carved walnut barometer circa 1890. Beautifully carved from a solid piece of wood. Thermometer set in the top. Barometer with paper dial in danish. Some losses ...
Category

Late 19th Century Danish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

19th Century German Anatomical Didactic Abdominal & Pelvis Model attr. to Sommer
By Marcus Sommer
Located in London, GB
Antique Anatomical Model, Medical Antique, Anatomical Antique, Vintage Anatomical Model, Antique Cabinet of Curiosities, Gothic Antique, Anatomical Sculpture. Antique 19th Century G...
Category

Late 19th Century German Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Paint, Paper

19th Century Antique Hardwood Inlaid Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
This is a 19th century antique hardwood inlaid banjo barometer with a thermometer and a 10' silvered dial, brass bezel with convex glass. It is a very...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
Add a touch of vintage charm to your decor with this exquisite 19th-century French metal scale. Crafted during a period renowned for its fine attention to detail, this scale features...
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Chromed Brass, Terrestrial, Astro, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 2 draw telescope. An English, chromed brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display. Of generous proportion when fully drawn, and neatly stowed in its own case Displaying a desirable aged patina, some light marks commensurate with use Leather covered primary barrel tanned in dark green with some light colour wear Polished draw tubes show bright silvered tones, lightly marked from gentle use Presenting a clear optical performance, with a 34mm (1.25") primary objective lens Lift-off dust cap to the objective, the flared eye cup...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Very Large George III Rosewood Gallery Magnifying Glass
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very large George III rosewood gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a rosewood frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bra...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

French Antique Shop Brass Counter Scale
Located in Austin, TX
Important set of scales from France. This piece has a detailed brass structure with working functionality. It is supported by a wood base. They are in excellent antique condition – t...
Category

1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1800s Veterinarians Horse Gag and Cutaway Skull
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early medical school demonstration model. The horse skull on its own very interesting. It shows a professionally done cutaway of the skull showing the teeth below the gum ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bone

1950s Anatomical Teaching Model of Normal Size Depicting Flat Foot "Pes Planus"
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical teaching model of normal size depicting flat foot "pes planus" the model highlights the alteration of the foot characterized by valgus and a reduced plantar vault. The s...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

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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