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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Semi-Automatic Large Bakelite Grocery Scale, Czech Republic, 1930s
Located in Żory, PL
Old shop scale from the 1930s/1940s, manufactured in the Czech Republic by Zbrojovka Brno. Semi-automatic scale, with internal weights. The scale is set with stylish metal buttons. Adjustable legs and built-in spirit level. Original tray made of thick white glass. The scale has been cleaned and is in very nice vintage condition. In working condition, but not entirely precisely (+/- 100 grams), it probably requires minor adjustment. A beautiful and original item for the grocery store...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Large 1940s Vintage Industrial Apothecary Laboratory Teaching Scale Balance
Located in Lafayette, IN
Rare 1940's vintage large-scale teaching scale/balance. Scale stands a massive 50" tall and was originally used as an instructional scale in a Purdue University...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel, Iron
A Very Rare Late 19th Century Sanderson Plate Camera
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare late 19th Century Sanderson well figured mahogany plate camera with well cast brass mounts in excellent condition and of exceptional quality with extra plates and carryin...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Rare 12 inches terrestrial globe signed Cary, London United Kingdom 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Large 12" terrestrial globe made by the famous Cary brothers, made with a wooden frame, refined plaster polished to perfection, and colored paper gores. The globe is supported by a f...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Bronze Mortar - Italy - 16th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Italian Renaissance bronze mortar with his pestle - 16th century
Very beautiful model with AN in its center surmounted by a cross below .
The mortar is decorated with several...
Category
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco Rock-Ola "Loboy" Porcelain Enamel Coin-Op Penny Scale
By Rock-Ola
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beginning in the Late 19th Century, the penny scale offered a means for passersby to quickly check their weight without going to the trouble of seeing a doctor; simultaneously - and perhaps more notably - they provided an irresistible opportunity for businesses to advertise and earn extra revenue. Penny scales quickly became a platform for creativity in advertising and design, as machines competed to attract the attention of customers on the street.
This scale - the "LoBoy" model - was produced by the jukebox manufacturing company Rock-Ola in the 1930s and features a Classic skyscraper-inspired Art Deco Silhouette in black and white porcelain enamel. The mirrored glass display features instructions ("Stand Still - Keep Clear") as well as a reference chart which provides 'healthy' weights for men and women by height. The scale itself has been modified to function without needing to deposit a coin. This piece would make a super unique and functional addition to any retro bathroom!
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Antique Box Field Camera and Tripod, English, Accessories, Ornamental, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Field Camera and tripod. An English, mahogany and brass plate camera with accessories and lens, dating to the late Victorian p...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass, Bardou and Son Telescope Badged James W. Queen and Co.
By Bardou & Son
Located in Baltimore, MD
Table top, brass refracting telescope on folding cabriole leg base. Objective lens is 3 possibly 3.25" diameter with additional solar viewing eyepiece, and lens cap. The telescope fu...
Category
1910s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage French Box of 25 Prosthetic Eyes by Roger Beauraing Circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
Prosthetic Glass Eyes, Vintage Prosthetic Eyes, Vintage Glass Eyes, Medical Glass Eyes, Medical Antique, Anatomical Antique, Anatomical Model, Scientific Antique, Gothic Antique, Cab...
Category
1930s French Gothic Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fabric, Faux Leather, Glass, Blown Glass, Plastic, Paper
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
David Beringer (1756-1821) Polyhedral Wooden Sundial
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).
DAVID BERINGER (1756-1821)
The frui...
Category
Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
Lufft Sunburst Golden Brass Wall Weather Station, Barometer & Thermometer, 1950s
By Lufft
Located in Vienna, AT
A round mid-century Sunburst / Starburst wall-mounted weather station from the 1950s, crafted by Lufft Germany, a renowned maker of precision instruments. This high-quality and premi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold, Brass
Gustavian brass box with perpetual calender based on the rune staff
Located in Knivsta, SE
Gustavian brass box with perpetual calender based on the rune staff. The box is from the late 18th Century and was used as a perpetual calendar and...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Cased Monocular, French, Field Viewing Scope, Optical Interest, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage cased monocular. A French, enamelled brass and leather viewing scope, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930.
Delightful field monocular, with 8 x 30 magnificat...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
BMT 110 mm Binoculars
By Kazan
Located in Aspen, CO
BMT-110 Soviet Marine Binocular Telescope – 20x110mm Cold War Era Optics, Circa 1950s
Step into the history of Cold War surveillance and maritime observation with this rare Soviet B...
Category
20th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Set of Two Mushrooms Scientific Models Europe , Germany 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage set of two different types of mushrooms, show Models which are native to middle Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools. Colorful...
Category
1960s German Folk Art Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
Rare paradoxical planetarium of Jupiter and the Medici satellites, France 1840.
Located in Milan, IT
This rare paradoxical planetarium demonstrates the rotation and revolution motion of the system of the planet Jupiter and the Medici satellites. The base is made of ebonized fruit wo...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Set of French Apothecary Pasteur Water Filters in Cream Glaze, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
This set of antique ceramic water filters was crafted in Provence, France, circa 1870. Originally designed as promotional display pieces for a French pharmacy, each vessel advertises...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
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
Genuine Old Apothecary Medical Bottles Jars Set Brown Amber Glass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful set of 9 authentic apothecary bottles or jars, in brown amber blown glass with thick glass stoppers, circa 1960s-70s.
This set is very characterful and is full of nice old...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Antique Scientific Didactic Model of the Yew Seed, Germany made in the Twenties
Located in Milan, IT
Taxus baccata, enlarged and removable didactic model of the yew seed, tree very used as hedge, belonging to the order of the conifers. German manufacture of the twenties made of papi...
Category
1920s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
French Pendulum Clock & Aneroid Barometer, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Clock and aneroid barometer in walnut made circa 1960.
The aneroid barometer (or holosteric barometer) was developed by the Frenchman Lucien Vidie who filed a patent for it in 1844 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
American Victorian Metal Stereoscope
Located in Queens, NY
2 American Victorian-style wood and etched metal stereoscope.(PRICED EACH)
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Brass and Leather Three Draw Telescope, Late 19th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
Late 19th century French brass and leather 3 draw telescope spyglass.
The spyglass is made from brass. The base is wrapped with leather. Comes with the...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Sunshine Recorder by Casella of London
Located in London, GB
A Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder, attributed to Casella & Co, circa 1910.
Mounted on a later wooden display plinth.
Marked with serial number...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Italian Renaissance Chrome Armillary
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (20th Century) chrome armillary globe with a rust patina.
Category
20th Century American Renaissance Revival Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
Pocket Globe by Nathaniel Hill, London 1754
Located in Milano, IT
Nathaniel Hill
Pocket globe
London, 1754
The globe is contained in its original case, which itself is covered in shark skin.
There are slight gaps in the original paint on the sphere. The case no longer closes.
The sphere measures 2.6 in (6.8 cm) in diameter whereas the case measures 2.9 in (7.4 cm) in diameter.
lb 0.24 (kg 0.11)
The globe is made up of twelve printed paper gores aligned and glued to the sphere.
In the North Pacific Ocean there is a scroll with the inscription:
A
New
terrestrial
Globe
by
Nath. Hill,
1754.
The celestial globe is depicted on the inside of the box.
On the terrestrial globe much of central and southern Africa is empty. North America bears only the name of some British colonies. It shows California as a peninsula and the northwest coast of America as "unknown parts" (Alaska is not described and is only partially delineated; it would become part of the United States in 1867). The route of Admiral Anson is traced (1740) and the trade winds are indicated by arrows. Australia, still named New Holland (the new name would be introduced in 1829), is part of the west coast. (See Van der Krogt, P., Old Globes in the Netherlands, Utrecht 1984, p. 146 and Van der Krogt, P. - Dekker, E., Globes from the Western World, London 1993, p. 115.)
Nathaniel Hill (London, news from 1746 to 1768) had impeccable professional credentials: he had done his apprenticeship with Richard Cushee, who at the time was carrying out surveying work for John Senex's Surrey map...
Category
1750s English George II Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shagreen, Paper
French Barometer Gilt Wood Verre Eglomise
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Giltwood and Verre Eglomise Barometer. The barometer frame is richly decorated with bouquets of flowers, vine branches, shells and palm leaves. The Eglomisé Dial ...
Category
19th Century French Charles X Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stucco, Giltwood
Pair of Brass Field Binoculars by W. Watson &. Sons of London
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of wonderfully aged brass field binoculars with moveable brass eye shields, which help to give clearer views without additional light coming through the sides. This pair of bin...
Category
1910s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Mahogany 19th Century Stick Barometer by Tarone
Located in Vero Beach, FL
English Mahogany 19th Century Stick Barometer by Tarone
Classic traditional English mahogany stick Barometer. Excellent and original feat...
Category
19th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
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
Nineteenth Century Hanging Bronze Scales with Nested Six Weights, 21-in high
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Standing at 21 inches in height, this set of large late nineteenth century French solid brass scales features two hanging brass pans that hang from chains. Six accompanying gram wei...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Wooden compass box with rosewood veneer circa 1870s
Located in Milan, IT
Box of compasses wood with rosewood veneer from the second mid-19th century, complete with key. In the center of the lid a rhombus-shaped brass medallion is engraved with the name...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Mortar and Pestle Duo, English, Brass, Apothecary, Jardiniere, Georgian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique mortar and pestle duo. An English, polished brass apothecary dish or decorative jardiniere pot, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1800.
Dashing Georgian morta...
Category
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
19th Century Plaster Phrenology Bust by Vago of London, 1869
By Vago
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A tactile plaster cast phrenology head, primitively produced yet highly decorative and a obvious rare survivor. A inscribed label of the maker Vago alo...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Paper
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
Vintage 1950s Hermes Rocket Typewriter
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage 1950s Hermes Rocket portable beige plastic typewriter with white square plastic keys and original matching beige plastic carry case
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
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
German Reflecting Telescope in Limited Edition from the Deutsches Museum in 1978
Located in Sofia, BG
Gregory brass spyglass - Deutsches Museum 1978/79 limited edition.
This reflecting foldable telescope is being published in a worldwide limited edition...
Category
Late 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pocket Watch In 18 Carat Gold, Dating From Around 1900 with calendar
Located in Madrid, ES
Discover a piece of timeless elegance with our exquisite 18K gold pocket watch from circa 1900! ⌚️
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this elegant timepiece boasts a classic enamel dial on one side for traditional timekeeping and a monthly and weekly calendar...
Category
1890s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
A Brass Equinoctial Dial French 1780ca
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).
With hinged gnomon, hour ring and l...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique 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
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
19th Century Shop Double Paper Roll Cutter Dispenser
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century shop double paper roll cutter dispenser
This is a rare and very unusual paper roll cutter, the stand is made in Beech and Iron, it ho...
Category
Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Large School Teaching Display Anthill of the Red Wood Ant
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large School Teaching Display Anthill of the Red Wood Ant
A vintage school teaching glass display of the anthill of the red wood ant. It shows the hill and inhabitants thereof, the ...
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Unusual Mesmerizing Hand Built Hypnotic Wheel, by Melvin Powers, 1951
By Marilyn Powers
Located in Buffalo, NY
Melvin Powers is considered the king of hypnosis in this country. His first self published book entitled hypnotism revealed is still in print and first published in 1949, He self pub...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Pair Of Vintage Cased Opera Glasses, French, Brass, Binocular, Mid 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage cased opera glasses. A French, brass and Mother of Pearl Galilean binocular, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
20th Century Japanese Pair Of Naval Bridge "Big Eye" Binoculars By Nikon c.1940
By Nikon
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare set of Japanese naval bridge “big eye“ binoculars by Nikon manufactured during WWII by Tokyo Kogaku Kikai (Tokyo Optical Company). They have been expertly cleaned and hand pol...
Category
1940s Japanese Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Handmade Egg Timer Hourglass in Wooden Textile Bobbin Spool 3min Timer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Vintage Handmade Egg Timer Hourglass in Wooden Textile Bobbin Spool 3min Timer. Crafted with precision, the hourglass features fine sand that flows smoothly, symbolizing the passage ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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
Mid-Century Modern Universal Model CE-616 Turquoise AM Band Portable Radio & Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This radio was made by Universal of Canada and dates to approximately 1965 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. This radio is a six transistor AM band portable radio done with a turquoise plastic molded...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Large Antique Mid 19th Century Mahogany Magnifying Glass
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
A rare Large Victorian Magnifying or Looking Glass, Made from Mahogany Wood all in origianal condition.
Known as a gallery glass it allows gentle magnification of items from variable...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
English Mahogany Fitted Portable Pharmacy or Apothecary with Numerous Components
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine and large English mahogany and brass fitted portable apothecary or medical case containing numerous original bottles, a scale, literature and other accessories. The piece is f...
Category
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Induction Coil or Sled Antique Scientific Instrument by Du Bois Reymond 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Induction coil by Du Bois Reymond, also known as Sled of the Du Bois Reymond system designed around 1870 during electrophysiology studies by Emil Du Boi...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
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.