Skip to main content

Scientific Instruments

4
633
to
68
382
239
633
633
633
113
29
27
20
15
8
6
6
5
4
4
4
4
3
2
142
900
7
415
316
71
41
50
43
44
40
61
28
10
1
370
318
210
100
68
499
215
162
130
52
3
3
2
2
1
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1960s
Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Carved Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Victorian burr walnut carved banjo barometer having a quality burr walnut carved shaped case with a 10 inch silvered engraved dial, original hands, thermometer and a ...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

1800s Cast Iron Farm Well Hand Pump with Handle Piston
Located in New York, NY
1800s farmhouse and Industrial style cast iron hand pump. Unknown working condition but great look. Sold as is. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category

19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

19th Century Irish Giltwood Barometer in the Baroque Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A fascinating Irish giltwood barometer in the baroque style. The large stick barometer features a large carved giltwood frame with a shell motif. The dial having the original twin Ve...
Category

19th Century Irish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Rare Antique 19th C Reuben Sutcliffe English Nickel Plated Hanging Balance Scale
Located in Dayton, OH
"Monumental 19th century English general store balance by Reuben Sutcliffe of Manchester. Made from Iron with a rich nickel plated finish. The company traded on Thomas Street, Manchester, Uk, from about 1825 until after the turn of the 20th century. The founder being George Sutcliffe The antique apothecary scale...
Category

Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron, Nickel

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

Stich Leather Hanging Barometer Westen, Germany, 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice round hanging Barometer, surrounded with stitch Brown Leather. Made in Western Germany in the 1960s. Good working condition.
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather

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

Swiss Gold and Enamel Telescope
Located in New Orleans, LA
Scientifically advanced and exquisitely crafted, this rare 19th-century gold and enamel Swiss telescope is an item of exceptional luxury. The Swiss cre...
Category

19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold, Enamel

1960s Smith Corona Skyriter Portable Typewriter with Vinyl Case
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Smith Corona Skyriter portable typewriter with the original tan vinyl case. Circa 1960s Despite its lean lines, lightness, and s...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

19th Century Italian Carved Louis XVI Style Giltwood Barometer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous late 19th century gilt wood barometer thermometer made in Italy in the Louis XVI or baroque taste. The large barometer features a large carve...
Category

19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century inlaid mahogany banjo barometer by L Casatelli of Liverpool
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century inlaid mahogany banjo barometer by L Casatelli of Liverpool, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, the shaped mahogany case having decorative shell in...
Category

1840s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Carl Zeiss Stand IV Brass Continental Microscope W/ Case and Slides, circa 1891
Located in Norwalk, CT
This incredible microscope dates from the late 19th century, during which Carl Zeiss and Edward Abbe were the foremost innovators of revolutionary microscope lens technology. It is a...
Category

1890s German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Fabulous Quality Early 19th Century Mahogany Stick Barometer by Girolimo of Lo
Located in Martlesham, GB
A fabulous quality early 19th century mahogany stick barometer by Girolimo of London, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, rectangular silvered dial with a glazed and hinged door, the dial itself displays weather notations and has a mercury thermometer...
Category

1810s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

George III Gallery Magnifying Glass
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A George III gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a mahogany frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bracket in the rim, the handle with a brass collar. Engli...
Category

19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

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 attractiv...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Antique Cast Iron Pharmacy Scale from Spain, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
A unique piece of scientific equipment, this antique cast iron scale would have been used in a Spanish pharmacy during the 1800s. The main cast...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Early 19th Century 2 Day Marine Chronometer by James McCabe, No. 199
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
Number 199, a two day marine chronometer by James McCabe, London, beautifully signed and numbered on the dial and movement, and the number on the bottom of the bowl. In a three part ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Terrestrial Table Globe by Félix Delamarche, Paris, 1821
By Félix Delamarche
Located in Milano, IT
Terrestrial table globe Félix Delamarche Paris, 1821 It measures 20.47 in height, Ø max 14.17 in; the sphere Ø 9.44 in (h 52 cm x Ø max 36.5 cm; the sphere Ø 24 cm) Wood, printed...
Category

1820s French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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 bracket in the rim. English, circa 18...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rosewood

Intriguing Set of 4 Spanish Wooden Molds Used in Shaping Toile and Other Soft
Located in Atlanta, GA
An intriguing set of 4 Spanish Wooden Molds used in shaping toile and other soft metals. A wonderful collection for any bookcase or table top. Super patin...
Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Cast Iron Mortar
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A cast iron mortar with a bas-relief band in the center.
Category

19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Boyle’s Patent Air Pump Ventilator, London, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Boyle’s patent air pump ventilator mahogany wood, glass an iron, depicting architecture model. Robert Boyle & son Ventilating engineeres. London & Glasgow, end XIX century.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Forest Carved Oak Barometer and Thermometer with Dog Motif
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique wall hanging barometer and thermometer was crafted in France, circa 1890. The carved oak weather and temperature reader features impressive, high-relief carvings of acorn and leaf motifs throughout; it is further embellished with a dog head sculpture at the pediment. The thermometer with Celsius and Fahrenheit reading, and the weather forecast seem to be in working order. The Black Forest weather...
Category

Late 19th Century French Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Large 1960's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Ear Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
Large 1960's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Ear Model. Manufactured by the Nystrom Co. of Chicago, Illinois. Large 17" scale and great patina!
Category

1960s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rubber, Wood

Decorative Antique Victorian 1890 James Beall Morrison Treadle Dentist Drill
Located in GB
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

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

Botanic Model Brendel, Germany, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Triticum Vulgare N.11A (Gramineae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the fl...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Powell And Lealand Number 3 Monocular Microscope
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A good example of a Number 3 model microscope retailed by Carpenter and Westley, London in the original fine quality mahogany case. It has a signed Powell and...
Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Mahogany Stick Barometer by Tagliaue & Torre of 294 Holborn
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century mahogany stick barometer by Tagliaue & Torre of 294 Holborn, London, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, rectangular silvered dial with a glazed and hinged door, the dial itself displays weather notations and has a mercury thermometer...
Category

1810s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Gold French Empire Hexagonal Giltwood Verre Églomisé Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold patinated, antique French hexagonal barometer made of handcrafted giltwood, in good condition. The top part of the Parisian décor piece is enhanced by flower carvings. The glass dial is particularized with Verre Églomisé. The thermometer represent the First French Empire time...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

19th Century Mahogany Banjo Barometer by P Nolfi of Taunton
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century mahogany banjo barometer by P Nolfi of Taunton, having a swan neck pediment with a central brass finial above a shaped mahogany case decorated with boxwood stringing, th...
Category

1840s British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Botanic Model Brendel, Germany, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Syringa vulgaris N. 37 (Uleaceae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the flo...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Georgian Terrestrial Pocket Globe by T. Harris and Son, London, 1813
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A Rare George III pocket globe by T. Harris and Son, London, 1813. Housed in the original sharkskin case. A fasinsting and rare item in wonderful condition. The terrestrial globe inscribed 'New Terrestrial Globe By T.Harris and Sons 1813' rotates on its axes inside a hinged black shagreen case. The concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts of the Northern and Southern skies and depictatioins of the symbols of Zodiac. The Harris family — Thomas Harris (d. 1837) and his son William Harris (1797-1846) — were London opticians who also sold and later produced terrestrial and celestial globes. Initially, Thomas Harris was principally an optician and mathematical instrument maker. He was joined, and then succeeded, by William in...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Vintage Dental Model of Mouth with Braces in Original Box by Columbia Dentoforms
Located in New York, NY
A vintage 1960/70s teaching dental model of a mouth with braces by noted company Columbia Dentoforms. Columbia Dentoforms has been making teaching models ...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

19th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Charleston, SC
19th Century French giltwood barometer with working thermometer. Well executed carvings of scrolls, swags and bounty all finished in gold gil...
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Mid-19th Century English Iron and Copper Hanging Trade Spring Balance
Located in Dallas, TX
A one of a kind! Created in England circa 1850, this "Peson" (or spring balance scale) was used in butcher shops to weight animals ( pigs, sheep, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper, Wrought Iron

19th Century Antique English Georg III Mahogany Barometer
Located in VALENZA, IT
A fine quality example of a mercury wheel barometer. A mahogany case. A wider and deeper case with an opening door for the long scale thermometer with silvered dial. A silvered engraved dial signed 'J.B.Sala, Holborn'. Circa 1820. The banjo barometer is also known as the wheel barometer. It was invented by Robert Hooke...
Category

1810s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Bronze Apothecary Mortar & Pestle, Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The cup shaped cast body decorated with incised ring-turned detail, rising from a waisted & stepped circular foot, together with its original pestle. Combined weight, 3.75 lbs.  
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Antique Painting with Barometer 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Antique table with barometer Interesting 19th century painting painted in oil with meteorological reasons on wood and which has a barometer in the center and a thermometer in the up...
Category

1890s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor's Compass in Fitted Wooden Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique surveyor's compass originates from Scotland and dates to approximately 1880 and made in the period Victorian style. The compass case is composed of solid brass with a me...
Category

Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Anatomical Print on Paper, Depicting a Fetus Skeleton, France, 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
A rare couple of French anatomical lithographs of the fetus skeleton, in a vintage metal frame. Great quality and artistic composition. Printe...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique English Mahogany Banjo Barometer, circa 1860
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English mahogany banjo barometer, circa 1860.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

French Late 19th Century Bronze Armillary Sphere Depicting the Titan Atlas
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French bronze armillary sphere depicting Atlas carrying the world from the late 19th century with verdigris patina. Created in France during the last quarter of the 19th century, this bronze armillary sphere showcases a mythological theme depicting the famed Titan Atlas, condemned to carry the sky on his shoulders for eternity. How appropriate then, to choose him to carry effortlessly this armillary! Casually placing his left hand on his waist, Atlas raises the sphere made of various connecting rings...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

19th Century London Knife Sharpener and Cleaner
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very nice 19th century knife sharpener and cleaner from London Kent. Very nice object where we can find a ceramic plate with probably the name of th...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Pine

Italian Telegraph in Solid Brass, 1880
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian Telegraph in solid brass, 1880.
Category

1880s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Pair of 19th Century Brass Scales
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique brass scales standing on a mahogany base. A brass centre column having a shaped arm to the left holding a removable brass bowl. Th...
Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Artist Pigment Painting Tray, Colourmans Sales Sampler
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A collection of thirty red and white cylindrical card boxes of pigment with decorative descriptive labels. Each container sits within its own section of a well made pine tray. Origin...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber, Pine

1960's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Educational Eye Eyeball Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
1960's Vintage Scientific Biocraft Human 3D Eyeball Model by Denoyer-Geppert of Chicago, Illinois. Hand-painted with wonderful original patina!
Category

1960s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rubber, Wood, Plastic

Fine Regency Period Mahogany Stick Barometer by Harris, London
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A Regency period mahogany stick barometer of fine quality with flame veneers and ebony stringing, the silvered dial signed by William Harris, Holborn, Lon...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ivory, Ebony, Mahogany

19th Century Spanish Glass Apothecary's Container
Located in Marbella, ES
18th Century Spanish Glass Apothecary's Container
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Pluviometer Set, English, Copper, Meteorological, Rain Gauge, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pluviometer set. An English, copper and glass meteorological rain gauge, dating to the Victorian period and later, circa 1900. ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper

Antique Mortar, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Wooden Wabi Sabi Mortar from Scandinavia, circa 1800s. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use.
Category

19th Century Swedish Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni Brionvega, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern radiophonograph RR126 and record player by Castiglioni Brionvega, 1960s Radiophonograph RR126 and record player with rectangular base, in wood with dark brown profiles. There are two sound boxes...
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Telescope, English, Silvered Brass, Dennis of London, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a long antique telescope. An English, silvered brass single draw refractor by Dennis of London, dating to the early Victorian period and later, circa 1850. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. Superior length telescope with appealing finish and personal inscription Displaying a desirable aged patina throughout Silvered brass presents bright, reflective tones Bright objective with large 55mm diameter — some marks to lens edge Front element protected by sliding sun shade Removable dust cover encloses the element when not in use Primary barrel dressed distinctively in a later, quality faux crocodile cover...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Zoological Wall Chart
Located in Oakville, CT
Antique Pfurtscheller wall chart Overall Dimensions: 53" x 56" Chart Dimensions: 50 1/2" x 56 Materials: Paper & Linen.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Linen, Paper

19th Century French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A household and marketplace classic, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weigh fruits...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Iron

Italian Mid-Century White Metal Vertical Medical Scale by Salus, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century White metal Vertical medical scale by Salus, 1960s Vertical medical scale in white painted metal. In the upper part it has a metal b...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Pharmacist's Medicine Cup, English, Glass, Apothecary Measure, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pharmacist's medicine cup. An English, glass and leather apothecary measure, dating to the Victorian period, circa 19000. A fa...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

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.

Recently Viewed

View All