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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Compound Microscope with Box and Key by R. Winkel, Göttingen, Nr. 18507
Located in Austin, TX
A fine working German compound microscope, circa 1910, by R. Winkel, Gottingen, Germany, in a fitted box of mahogany with nickel hardware and key. ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Nickel

Antique J.C Ulmer Co. Survey Transit & Compass In Original Mahogany Box
Located in New York, NY
Brass and steel survey transit and compass in the original mahogany box. Made by J.C Ulmer Co. Good condition with appropriate wear from age. One availa...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

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

English Brass Telescope on Tripod Stand signed Dollond, London Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass telescope on tripod stand with slipper feet. Telescope has the original carrying case with lens covers. Late 19th Century
Category

19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Antique 14K Gold Victorian Vintage Spectacles Lorgnette Eyeglasses with Handle
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Gorgeous Victorian old fashioned antique lorgnette with a refined design on the handle. The lens glass is in excellent shape and is framed by decorat...
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold

Antique Estwing Geological Rock Hammer Leather Handle
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Antique Rock Hammer Leather Handle Geology Pick Hammer Vintage Tool attributed to Estwing. 12.5 long x 7 w x .75 unsigned Original vintage condition Refer to all im...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera c.1937-1939
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome and black accents and flip out view finder. Shown with life size hand. Sold as decorative o...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Vintage 16 Gallon Pegasus Mobil Oil/Grease Drum Barrel
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage 16 Gallon Pegasus MOBIL Oil/Grease Drum Barrel. Vintage unrestored condition. Dimensions: 27.63 H x 15 Diameter. Delivery within 200 miles from...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Coral Pink Crosley Model T-60 AM Tube Table Radio
By Crosley Radio
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Mid-Century Modern working tube radio was made by Crosley in Toronto Canada in approximately 1965 in the period stream-lined style. The radio is done with a molded coral pink pl...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Human Body Educational Model / Anatomical Model, circa 1940s
Located in Lucenec, SK
Fantastic looking vintage anatomical model of a full human body on a black granite base. The height of the model with base (4 cm) is 82 cm. Unfortunately, removable parts are missing.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Granite

1930s Educational Model Depicting the Belly of the Woman Immediately After Birth
Located in Milan, IT
Educational model depicting the belly of the woman immediately after birth with a part of the placenta. 1930's, sold by the Hygiene Museum in Dresden...
Category

1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Rare Microscope "Neopan" by Carl Aubock 1963, Reichert Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare award-winning microscope, model Neopan, designed in 1963 by the Viennese architect and designer Carl Aubock. Executed by Reichert Austria. In good condition, fully workin...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique German Ulmia Carpenter's Toothing Wood Plane
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Antique wooden carpentry toothing plane used to make trim and moldings. Lignm Vitae wood on the bottom. Original labels. Shown with life size hand mold for scale. CREATO...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

19th c. Bock-Steger Anatomical Brain Model, Germany
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A hand crafted and painted plaster anatomical model of the human brain. Franz Josef Steger and pathological anatomist Carl Ernst Bock collaborated a...
Category

19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Baume Mercier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Wristwatch & Bracelet & Original Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique ladies wristwatch was made by the well known Baume et Mercier of Switzerland in approximately 1920 in their period style. The wa...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold

Vintage Panasonic Toot-a-Loop-Radio, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Panasonic toot-a-loop-radio is an original decorative object realized in the 1970s by Panasonic R-72 (R72) and built by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co This radio is the...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

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

Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Italy, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Roma, IT
Antique bronze mortar. Handmade with pestle. Original patina Italian bronze mortar and pestle Measures: Pestle height 7.5 in.
Category

Mid-19th Century European Grand Tour Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Carl Zeiss cold war era 10 x 50 periscope binoculars
Located in London, GB
A cold war era Carl Zeiss Oberkochen 10 x 50 periscope binoculars, German, circa 1965. Specifications: 10 times magnification, coated optics, objective diameter 50 mm, grey filter and drop down grid. Original transport case. (included protective feet pads and rubber eye guards). Dimensions of the case: 29 x 18 1/2 x 11 inches. (73 x 47 x 28 cm). Mounted on an adjustable height tripod. Height of periscope in photographs: 77 inches. This model of Zeiss periscope...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Leitz Brass Compound Microscope
By E. Leitz
Located in New Orleans, LA
Brass Compound Microscope in Case Ernst Leitz Dated 1897 This rare late 19th-century compound microscope was crafted by the renowned optical firm Ernst Leitz GmbH of Wetzlar, German...
Category

19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Optical Glass, Wood

1880 Earnst Plank Magic Lantern, Box Plus 72 Slides
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful and decorative 1800 magic lantern full boxed set. It was created by Ernst Plank and each slide box is signed. It comes with an amazing ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

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

Old Compass reproduction 1944 London, brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Old Compass reproduction 1944 London, brown Color
Category

20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Large Brass Hourglass
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century large brass hourglass with white sand
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

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

A Large 19th Century Brass Library Telescope Marked A. Bardou, Paris
By A. Bardou
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and impressive 19th century French brass library telescope marked A. Bardou, Paris. (Denis Albert Bardou; 1841 - 1893) The telescope mounted on a brass and cast iron tripod ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Other Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair WW1 Binoculars and Case, British Officer's Issue - A Tubeuf, Paris
Located in Bath, GB
The binoculars are clad in a lovely embossed leather remaining in excellent condition, now over 100 years old and a true antique. They have integral sun shades. When closed up they ...
Category

1910s French Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Glass scientific instrument: Crookes maltese cross tube, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument. An example of the Crookes tube with Maltese Cross, in chromed metal, a precursor to the cathode ray tube. It was used t...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century English Postal Scale
Located in Atlanta, GA
This finely crafted Early 20th Century English postal scale is a striking example of the functional yet elegant design typical of the period. The scale is mounted on a polished woode...
Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

French Antique Petite Draw Telescope in Brass and Wood
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An antique French single draw telescope. Petite in size, its main barrel is covered with wonderful dark, veneer fruit wood, while the fixings and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London
Located in Martlesham, GB
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London, having a mahogany barrel with a thumb wheel to the side of the main barrel, supported on a solid brass tripod s...
Category

1780s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Andrew J. Lloyd Boston Brass Telescope on Wooden Tripod with Case
Located in Milford, NH
A fine antique brass telescope, stamped Andrew J. Lloyd Company, a Boston, MA retailer active 1850-1875. Brass tubes and fittings, includes the original collapsible wooden tripod sta...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

French 18th Century Balance Scale
Located in Round Top, TX
A handsome French 18th century balance scale in iron and brass. The balance mechanism is in iron. The foot and the plates are in brass. The...
Category

18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

A Fine Adams, London Culpepper Microscope
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A late 18th century brass lacquered Culpepper design microscope by Adams, London in the original mahogany case. The two drawers contain a good selection of lenses and accessories. Th...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Eastman Kodak 3A Folding Pocket Camera with Leather Case
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Collectible antique 1920s Kodak film camera in hard leather case. With original leather case stamped made in Belgium. Antique No. 3A Special Autographic Folding Pocket Model C Kodak with Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat Lens 6.3. The 3A Folding Pocket Kodak, Eastman Kodak...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality carved oak banjo barometer having a quality carved oak shaped case with a brass bezel, porcelain dial with original hands and a thermometer An attractive ...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Superb Pair Antique Opera Glasses c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A truly stunning pair of French Opera glasses made from polished brass and clad with shell. This pair comes with a telescopic lorgnette handle and folds away nicely when not if use....
Category

1910s French Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Old Study Camera in Oak Wood with Height Adjustable and Brake
Located in Miami, FL
Amazing late 19th century French oak camera from Spain. Made in oak and gold metal and in its color. Beautiful piece of decoration. Measures: Adjustable height 55.11in-66.92in.
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Art Deco Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Quality Antique Victorian Brass Scales
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Victorian brass scales having a quality set of brass scales with 2 circular brass pans standing on a brass tripod base Quaint examples in...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Bronze Pharmacy Mortar Italy-17° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant bronze mortar from the 17 century from Italy dated 1630. Really rare mortar due to his big size. In very good condition and beautiful patina.
Category

17th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

19th c. Varvill & Son York Moving Filletster Plane circa 1829-1840
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Solid boxwood carpenter's wood plane with steel and bronze accents. Stamped "Varvill & Sons York" on both sides. CREATOR Varvill & Sons York, England. DATE OF MANUF...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Antique Bayliss & Co 19th Century English Brass Apothecary Counter Scale Balance
Located in Dayton, OH
An antique 4 lb mercantile balance by Bayliss & Co of Birmingham, England. Features a twisted iron stand and brass balance with tray and scoop. Makers mark engraved along top arm.
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

French Louis XVI Style Gilded and Painted Wood Directoire Wall Barometer
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Louis XVI style gilt and painted wood barometer. While not in working order, barometer has that wonderful old 'chippy' peeling patina. The carved wood frame and g...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI 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 Kent's Knife Cleaning, Polishing & Sharpening Wheel with Original Labels
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Victorian knife cleaning and sharpening machine was made by Kent's of London England in circa 1880 in the period Victorian style. The machine is composed of two sharpening stones...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stone, Metal

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

Austrian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is a beautiful antique solid brass mortar and pestle set. The mortar has a cylindrical shape with a flared mouth and two angular handles at the sides. The baton-shaped pestle...
Category

1920s Austrian Hollywood Regency Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Olivetti lettera DL by Sottsass Ettore design in years '70
Located in Biella, IT
Olivetti lettera DL by Sottsass Ettore design in years '70 working very good vintage with her original box
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni, Brionvega 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni Brothers for Brionvega, 1960s. RR126 radio phonograph and turntable with a rectangular wooden base with dark brown prof...
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Pocket Field Microscope, English, Brass, Instrument, Edwardian, C.1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scientist's field microscope. An English, brass, pocket instrument, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Appealing brass ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Star Compass of Boston. The gimballed yacht compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This Classic marine instrument is fi...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

Maitland Smith Art Nouveau Style Large Standing Brass Nautilus Magnifying Glass
Located in Doylestown, PA
Maitland Smith Art Nouveau style large standing nautilus magnifying glass. Lots of intricate details capture the beauty of this intriguing sea crea...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Opera Glasses, Binoculars by G.Rodenstock
Located in Miami, FL
Opera glasses, binoculars by G. Rodenstock.
Category

Late 20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

Scientific tool for demonstrating the refraction of light, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Scientific tool for demonstrating and assessing the refraction of light. Constructed in boxed metal with a square section, it consists of a horizontal tube that bends a few grids in ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Early 19th Century French Barometer
Located in Charlottesville, VA
This elegant 19th-century French barometer is a beautifully crafted antique weather instrument housed in an octagonal giltwood frame. The a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

Vintage Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Fountain Pen with Papers & Boxes
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

Antique American "Bausch & Lomb" Compound Monocular Microscope, Circa 1890-1910.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique American "Bausch & Lomb" Microscope in Compound Monocular Design, Circa 1890-1910. Rochester, NY
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

German Medical or Tanning Lamp, Wood and Bakelite, 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
German medical or tanning lamp. Transport handle and external thermometer. Three settings of the lamps. Eight porcelain lamp holders and four light bulbs. Current 220 volt Woo...
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Porcelain, Bakelite, Wood

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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