Scientific Instruments
to
85
491
308
824
5
3
142
87
50
21
21
19
15
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
140
599
824
8
384
287
63
27
45
34
36
34
54
36
23
10
462
285
210
132
92
523
144
131
113
97
832
828
829
8
4
4
4
3
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Vintage Drawing Instrument Set, German, Draughtsman's Tools, Schcenner, C.1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage drawing instrument set. A German, nickel draughtsman's tool case by Schcenner, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1930.
Fine German instrument set in fold-out carry case
Displaying a desirable aged patina throughout
Silver nickel presents a lightly tarnished appearance, commensurate with age
Presented within a textured carry case with four fold design
8 pieces offering the essential tools for the travelling draughtsman
Comprises a pair of compass, two bow compass and ruling pen...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
American Brass Telegraph Mounted on Circular Mahogany Base Bendix NY, Circa 1930
By Bendix Corporation
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass ship's double engine order telegraph mounted on circular mahogany base. E. O. T. has been electrified and has a faint bell ring when changing positions. Bendix Corpor...
Category
1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Wire
Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Manufactured for SEARS is the equivalent of a Smith-Corona Classic 12.
Features a stylish mid century...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Mills Novelty Art Deco Green Porcelain Penny Scale
Located in Ferndale, MI
Art Deco period penny scale by Mills Novelty co. Period green porcelain pedestal with cream colored foot hold.
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Antique Pair of Cased Binoculars, English, Brass, Optical Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pair of cased binoculars. An English, enamel brass optical instrument, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900.
Appealing weathering and presented in an attrac...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Cased Microscope, English, Scientific Instrument, Swift & Son, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased microscope. An English, black enamel scientific instrument by J. Swift & Son of London, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 191...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Leather, Broadhurst Clarkson & Co, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3-draw telescope. An English, leather and brass terrestrial refractor by Broadhurst, Clarkson & Co, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Perfect for bird ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Edwardian Prosthetic Leg
Located in London, GB
Edwardian Prosthetic leg
We share what we love, and we love this unusual fully articulated Edwardian prosthetic leg. With leather hip support sprung...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Spirit Level, English, Rosewood, Craftsman's Instrument, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage spirit level. An English, Rosewood and craftsman's instrument, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Period appeal with...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Colmont French FT Binoculars Leather Paris
By Lawrence and Mayo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Vintage Colmont FT Paris binoculars
Colmont a French optical company known for producing high-quality binoculars
leather-covered body
maker stamp present
7.75 x 5 ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Copper German Perpetual Desk Calendar c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original German perpetual desk calendar. Change the day of the week and date by pressing the Bakelite handle on the side. A knob in the back allows you to adjust the date t...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Copper
Space Age Orange Vintage Television Ikaro by Minerva, 1970s, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age orange vintage television from plastic model Ikaro by Minerva, 1970s, Austria.
This portable television with an orange plastic casing by...
Category
1970s Austrian Space Age Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Set of Six Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Models by Somso Germany 1950s
By Somso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage models of botanical scientific specimen depicts mushrooms native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showpie...
Category
20th Century German Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Composition
Wooden Surveyor's Transit Scope Tripod c.1940
By Dietzgen
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Vintage wooden surveyor's transit scope tripod with painted feet and metal top.
CREATOR Possibly Dietzgen.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940s.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
Gucci Rare Stationery Set
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Gucci stationery set with a triangular ruler and pencil in original burgundy case / Made in Italy
Length: 14 inches, depth: 9.25, height: 1.5 inches
1 available in stock in Ital...
Category
20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
ZEISS Ikon Novar-Anastigmat 45mm F3.5 Film Camera 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Zeiss Ikon Contina Camera with Novar-Anastigmat 45mm F3.5 Prontor SVS.
Zeiss Ikon Contina 35mm RF style camera with a 45mm f/3.5 Novar-Anastigmat prime lens.
Cosmetically in great co...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Pocket Poco by the Rochester Optical Co. Folding Camera c.1903
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The original Pocket Poco was manufactured by the Rochester Optical Co. from approximately 1893 to 1905. Designed as a small compact camera, the camera took 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 (qu...
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Nickel
WWI brass Carl Zeiss Jena "Fussartillerie" artillery compass
Located in London, GB
A WWI brass Carl Zeiss Jena "Fussartillerie" artillery compass.
3¾ inch dial marked with N W S points, the Carl Zeiss Jena logo, and B.R. 565 FUSSARTILLERIE.
Compass ring marked ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Ebonite brass and paper mache slide rule designed by G. Fuller Belfast
Located in Milan, IT
Antique ebonite, brass and papier-mâché, spiral-shaped slide rule designed by George Fuller of Belfast, professor of engineering at Queen's University of London in 1878, made by STAN...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Vintage W.& T. Avery Brass/ Cast Iron Beam Scale
By W & T Avery
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful W & T Avery Class C brass and cast iron beam scale. Cast Iron top and base compliment the patinated brass nicely. Two brass pans with complete compliment of weights. Maker ...
Category
20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Modern Table Rotary Phone SIEMENS AUSO SIP S62 Lino Saltini 1960s Italy
By Siemens
Located in Miami, FL
Rotary Table Telephone S62 designed by Lino Saltini in 1962 for Telecomunicazion Siemens AUSO. This example is from the 4th edition of the phone out of ten editions of the same model...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Large Mid-Century Italian Giorgio Armani Eye Glasses Factice Shop Display Piece
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a rare and unique item! The Armani Eyeglasses Factic for display in a shop comes with its original cardboard packaging and is made of metal a...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
England Early 1900 Brass Galvanometer Antique Physic Measuring Instrument
By Philip Harris Ltd.
Located in Milan, IT
Moving coil brass galvanometer with three-screw base, instrument signed Philip Harris Ltd Birmingham England n. 19402, made in the early 1900, a tool used as a detector of direct cur...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Folding Brass Compass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A brass folding pocket compass which is made also to be added to a chain or ribbon to be worn around the neck.
The lens has a good magnification and in lovey condition.
Dating to c...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
German 1900s Antique Ear Trumpet medical instrument Made of Ebonite and Rubber
Located in Milan, IT
Ear trumpet, bell and earphone of ebonite and extension of rubber, German medical instrument, manufacture of the early 1900s. Measures: Length 10 cm, 3.9 i...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
Botanic Modelof a Primrose Flower, Paravia, Italy, 1940
Located in Milan, IT
A botanical maquette for didactic use, depicting a flower of Primrose, Acaulis, Primulaceae. Made of metal, paper, plaster, galalith and wood. Extremely detailed. Paravia, Milan, Ita...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
FER model logarithmic circular slide rule H 39 n. 1675 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
FER model logarithmic circular slide rule H 39 No. 1675 from the 1930s, Italian Patent No. 1680, housed in its original round-shaped wooden box like the instrument, complete with in...
Category
1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
Antique Eastman Kodak "No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie" Camera c.1909
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original "No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie" camera with leather wrapped body, brass and chrome accents. Autographic film window in back with iron stylus for writing notes dir...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Original Vintage Scale from the 20th Century 'Designed by Berkel'
By Berkel 2
Located in Udenhout, NL
Original personal scale from 1946 designed by Berkel in Belgium.
(Made in Brussels.)
Very nice Industrial decorative object.
Category
1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Antique Salter Family Scales No 50 a Well Loved and Used Family Scales
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Antique Salter Family Scales No 50
A well loved and used Family Scales, made by Salter, the cast iron body is in Dark green with Gold highlights, it has...
Category
1940s Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Miele Vintage Vacuum Cleaner, Type E10
Located in Budapest, HU
Torpedo shaped vacuum cleaner in good condition.
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
1917 Waymouth Cooke Naval Rangefinder Sextant
Located in San Mateo, CA
Naval range finder made by Waymouth-Cooke of London. These were based on the principals of a sextant range finder. They were patented in 1914. The Mark II like this one came out in 1...
Category
1910s English Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Italian Modern Wooden Botanic Model
Located in Roma, IT
A botanic didactical specimen in the manner of the famous German botanist Robert Brendel.
"In the late 19th century Robert Brendel and his son Reinhold produced beautiful and accur...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th C. John Byrne Brass Telescope with tripod
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
19th C. John Byrne brass telescope with tripod. Marked John Byrne New York 1882. 3.5 inch refracting telescope with 43.5 inch main tube. A wonderful piece of history, Optics are not ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Set of 8 Vintage Lab Sieves, English, Brass, Stacking, Scientific, C.1965
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large set of 8 vintage laboratory sieves. An English, brass stacking scientific apparatus, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1965.
Fascinating set with superb period a...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Fairbanks Scales Wrought Iron and Brass Scale with Weights
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage wrought iron and brass scale with weights is made in the United States by Fairbanks Scales, one of the nation's oldest industrial manufacturing...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Tellurium mechanical/electrical model of the solar system Phiwe Italian 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Tellurium, i.e., mechanical/electrical model representative of the solar system, made of metal with green and gray hammered paint, lithographed tin globe, plastic Moon, and metal bas...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Wooden and Brass Square Faced Magnifying Glass with Nautical Symbol
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique Hand crafted magnifying glass from the 20th Century. The viewing glass is square with a brass frame and brass nautical symbol inlayed at the handle which also displays a br...
Category
20th Century American Classical Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Navy Binoculars
Located in Paris, FR
Binoculars Navy with polished steel adjustable tripod base.
With polished aluminium and steel binoculars with clear glass
lens, magnifying x8 times. Adjust...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Antique "Le Jockey Club" 1930's Horse Racing Binoculars with Compass
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French silvered brass and brown leather Horse Racing binoculars stamped "Le Jockey Club Paris" presented in their original brown leather case. ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Thermometer by Taylor
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Antique Thermometer Taylor
stamped by maker
6.5 h x 1.75 w x .75 d
Original vintage
Refer to images provided
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Reynolds & Branson Ltd Scientific Instrument Leeds Tangent Galvanometer 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage tangent galvanometer produced by Reynolds & Branson Ltd - Scientific Instrument Makers - Leeds. Wooden base with three brass leveling screws and glass bell jar cloche.
Dimen...
Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage 2-in-1 Pendant Map Measure, German, Navigational Tool, Mid Century, 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 2-in-1 pendant map measure. A West German, cast metal and glass navigational tool, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960.
Fascinating pendant style map measu...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Unusual Early American Quack Medicine Thompson-Plaster Electric Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most unusual Thompson-Plaster electrical cabinet, by Physician's Specialty Company, Leesburg, Virginia, United States.
The historic turn of the late 19th / early 20th century quack medicine machine used a violent ray electrotherapy apparatus as a cure-all, claiming to cure numerous ailments, cancers, and more.
Featuring the original oak framed glazed glass-covered marble top for use with 'medical' instruments, atop quartersawn oak chest fitted with three graduated drawers, opening to reveal various associated equipment and supplies, including blown glass evacuated tube implements of varying shapes and for different therapeutic uses. High-quality solid wood case, rising on castors. Signed, retaining the original manufacturer plaque. Museum quality.
Provenance / Acquisition:
Reportedly purchased by Dr. Slaughter, of Goldthwaite, Texas, May, 1903.
Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, established 1983, Austin, Texas. Day 2 of 3, Important Estates catalog. 2021
Similar examples can be found in select museum collections and exhibitions, including Loudoun Museum, Leesburg, Virginia. Holmes Medical Museum, Foley, Alabama.
Dimensions: (approx)
40.75" High, 26" Wide, 17.5" Deep
Condition:
Excellent original antique condition. Museum quality. Unknown if complete. Wear consistent with age and use.
A scarce example of medical quackery...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
English Antique Periscope Walking Stick Cane by R & J Beck ca. 1917
Located in Shippensburg, PA
WORLD WAR I BRITISH TRENCH PERISCOPE WALKING CANE
R & J Beck, Ltd., England, ca. early 20th century
Marked "Periscope Mk IV 1917 R & J Beck Ltd. No. 13196"
36" H x 3 3/8" W
An unu...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
Early 20th Century Wooden Prosthetic Articulated Arm and Hand
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
This is a very early and prosthetic arm. Looks like it has been made in England, but i´m not sure.
The wooden carved hand is jointed, realistic and ve...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Pair of Antique Customs & Excise Measures, English, Etched Glass Beakers C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique Customs & Excise measures. An English, etched glass governmental beaker set, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. A rare and intriguing example of ...
Category
1920s British Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Large Antique Wooden American Mortar and Pestle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large wood antique American mortar and pestle.
Early 19th c. Americana turned wood footed mortar and pestle.
American, late 19th century wooden mortar and pestle...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Vintage Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Fountain Pen with Papers & Boxes
By Montblanc
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This fountain pen was made by the well known Montblanc factory of Germany in approximately 1990 in their classic modern style. This fountain pen is their 'Meisterstuck' model and has...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold, Stainless Steel
Late Midcentury Modern Realistic Weather Radio Cube
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Weather Radio WeatheRadio Deskube TW Weather NOAA Radio 12-181B
Radio Shack Tandy
Very minimal and modernist with touch of 70s woodgrain
...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Nautical Log in Its Wooden Box to Measure Boats Speed Walker Early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Log of brass signed Walker’s Excelsior IV Patent Log, For Yacht, Motor Launches and Fishing Craft from the early 1900s.
It is an ancient nautical instrumen...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pair of Early 20th century French Brass Opera Glasses, 1900s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very beautiful French opera glasses in Mop and brass dating from the beginning of the 20th century.
Central wheel to approach or move away the view.
Flammarion brand stamp on the to...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Westinghouse Shortwave Radio in French Polished Mahogany Case
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome Westinghouse combination shortwave radio, the French polished mahogany case housing a tube movement with multiple radio settings, made and s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-Century Brass Wall Barometer, 1950s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Brass Barometer, 1950s
Working and in good condition.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Surveyor's Level, English, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Halden & Sons
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique surveyor's level. An English, brass scientific instrument by J. Halden & Sons of Manchester, dating to the early 20th century, circ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century Scientific "Cyclo-Stormograph" by Short & Mason Tycos
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and appears to be completely intact. Short & Mason Tycos Cyclo-Stormograph under beveled glass & mahogany with a drawer which contains extra graph paper, tiny key and origin...
Category
Early 1900s English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Orrery – Tellurium by Paravia, Torino (1900, Italy)
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare and collectible orrery (tellurium) produced by the renowned Italian maker Paravia, Torino in 1900. This finely crafted planetary model illustrates the Earth-Sun-Moon system, dem...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Vintage Reichert Austria Microscope 241 653 in Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Reichert Austria Microscope Number 241 653 in Wooden Box with Accessories as Pictured. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Box: 14.5" H x 9" W x 10.5" D.
Category
Late 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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.