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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Style: Georgian
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Hand Turned Wood Mortar and Pestle 1950
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern mortar and pestle hand turned from one piece of dense wood. It is in wonderful vintage condition. Please see photos, circa 1950-1960. Whether you need ...
Category

1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique Teaching Aid Median Incision of the Human Head, Ca. 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted and hand lettered anatomical model. A median incision of the head for class. It is made of wood, papier maché and plaster, manufactured by SOMSO or PHYWE...
Category

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

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Antique Teaching Model Stages of the Appendix, Ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted anatomical model of the appendix in different stages. It is made of plaster and mounted on a wooden base. Manufactured most probably by SOMSO or PHYWE, G...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper, Plaster

English Antique George II Mahogany Stick Barometer by Polti of Exeter
By C. Polti
Located in Devon, GB
A rare George II period mahogany stick barometer with finely carved cistern cover and surround to partly conceal the mercury tube. Most unusually the signed register plate is made of...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Large Mid-Century Modern Didactic Resin Anatomical Model Jaw
Located in Weesp, NL
Big 1960s anatomical jaw teaching model in perfect condition. This beautiful resin jaw can be taken apart as shown in the images. It was made in the 1960s by Rudiger Anatomie in Berl...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Resin

Mid-Century Modern British Ilford Selo Photography Film Store Display
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This store display was made for the English film manufacturer, Ilford to advertise their Selo film line during the 1960s in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The frame of the disp...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Walter Bosse Cow Figurine Table Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming sculptural Austrian midcentury desk thermometer, displaying a cow with a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria i...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Memphis Tool Kit Set by Koyo Sangyo, Japan, 1980s
By Koyo Sangyo
Located in Munich, DE
Rare tool kit designed by Koyo Sangyo, Japan, 1980s. This complete set represents the 'Memphis' period and includes: a handsaws, a Hammer, two screwdrivers an...
Category

1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

19th Century Antique English Mahogany Marine Barometer signed Nixon
By Nixon
Located in Devon, GB
An early 19th century mahogany marine barometer of exceptional quality and originality. The elegant carved, fluted and turned case has an inset engrav...
Category

19th Century British George IV Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

English Mahogany Stick Barometer Signed T. Taylor London
Located in Savannah, GA
Stick Barometer signed T. Taylor London featuring mahogany case with bone plinth, inlay and knob. Broken arch pediment above a flush-glass door, enclosing register plate and thermometer. Fully restored and calibrated by Julian Gibbard, Harpers Ferry...
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Jacques Adnet Style Mid-Century Modern Leather Barometer, France, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
Jacques Adnet style Mid-Century Modern leather barometer, France 1950s In a very good general condition.            
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Antique George III Mahogany Stick Barometer by Cremonino
Located in Devon, GB
A fine and well-proportioned early 19th century figured mahogany barometer signed ‘Cremonino, Fecit.’ This barometer has a broken arch pediment above a flush-glass door, enclosing ...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

John Bennett Georgian Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Georgian barometer by the leading London instrument-maker John Bennett strongly reflects the prevalent furniture style and archite...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

18th Century Antique Georgian Satinwood Precision Barometer
Located in Devon, GB
A rare late 18th century George III period antique cross-banded satinwood wheel barometer. The nine inch circular silvered and engraved main scale has...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Satinwood

Walter Bosse Thermometer, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse thermometer, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Huge JHQ Dansk Style Peppermill to End All Peppermills Restaurant Kitchen Prop
Located in Ferndale, MI
Purchased from the family of historic Woodward avenue Detroit restaurant. Giant 29" teak peppermill. Possibly a Jens Quistgaard for Dansk promotional p...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Vintage Anatomical Pull Down Chart 'Osteology, GH Michel Company
By G.H. Michel Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Anatomical Pull Down Chart 'OSTEOLOGY ,GH Michel Company,Black background,amazing color contrast.Beautifully screened printed,linen backed.S...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Linen, Paper

American Brass Telegraph Mounted on Circular Mahogany Base Bendix NY, Circa 1930
By Bendix Corporation
Located in Hollywood, 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

1950 Film 16mm Camera, SOM Berthiot, France
Located in Miami, FL
Société d'Optique et de Mécanique Berthiot (SOM Berthiot) was a French manufacturer of optics and photographic lenses. They produced C and D mount motion picture lenses for professio...
Category

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

Pair of English Globes by Cary, London, 1798 and 1800
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of 12-inch table globes John and William Cary London, 1798 and 1800 Some restored cracks and abrasions lb 11 each (kg 5) The two terrestrial and celestial globes rest in their original Dutch style stands with four supporting turned wood columns. Each one measures 18 in in height x 17 in in diameter with the diameter of the spheres measuring about 12 in; 46 cm in height x 43 cm in diameter x 31 cm diameter of the spheres. The 12 inch measure was one of the most frequently used by British manufacturers of globes of this period. Each globe is composed of two series of twelve printed paper gores, aligned and glued onto plaster spheres. The brass circle of the meridian bears engravings...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

George III Mahogany Stick Barometer by Noted London Makers
By William Jones
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A fine George III mahogany stick barometer by noted London makers William & Samuel Jones. The mahogany-veneered case has an austere form with only the moulded caddy top and the u...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

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

Walter Bosse Cow Figurine with Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a nice cow figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by H...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

English Mahogany Prince of Wales Banjo Barometer, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany four dial banjo barometer with broken arch pediment, steel engraved face with Prince of Wales motif, and original rotating bone dial. Barometer can be restored to wo...
Category

1820s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

18th Century Antique Georgian Mahogany Wheel Barometer by E. Bates of Kettering
Located in Devon, GB
A late Georgian mahogany wheel barometer with satinwood marquetry inlay by Bates of Kettering. The mahogany case has satinwood stringing and marquetry shell...
Category

Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

English Brass Urn & Marble Base Scale . Circa 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
English brass scale with centered urn , feather pointer , brass pans, marble base , and terminating on brass ball feet. All original . Early 19t...
Category

1810s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Brass

Italian Radio phonograph record player RR126 by Castiglioni for Brionvega, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern Radio phonograph and record player RR126 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Brionvega, 1960s Radio phonograph and rec...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Modernist Hourglass, 20th Century
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Modernist Hourglass, 20th Century.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Vintage Standard Bench Made Dies Steel Stamps Wood Box
By Standard Steel Company
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Standard Bench Made Dies Size 5/32 Steel Stamps Wood Box Name inscribed on box. 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.75 h Preowned unrestored original vintage co...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Functional Tesla Phone 1978, Československo
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Fully functional - Tesla manufacturer.
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

1950s Vintage Heat Therapy by Sperti Faraday UV Infared Sun Lamp Cincinnati OH
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage 1950s Vintage 1950s 1950s Sperti Faraday UV Infared Sun Lamp for Heat Therapy and Sunshine Benefits Untested Sometimes deemed a medical science...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Czech Molecular Model
Located in High Point, NC
A molecular model from Czechia, circa 1970. Originally an educational aide, the jewel-like form creates a unique aesthetic impact. This complex molecul...
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Acrylic

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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