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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: Early 1900s
Antique Kodak Hawk-Eye No. 2A Folding Camera c.1926-1934 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A Hawk-Eye Shutter Model 2A folding camera, model B with a leather wrapped body, chrome and brass accents and extended push button shutter mechanism. Closes to 1.5 inches flat...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood An antique hand-painted anatomical wall model depicting the structure of the human skin with roots of the hair. T...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

"No. 1 Kodak Junior" Folding Camera c.1914-1927 with Case (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A rare model that offered many lens/shutter combinations. The body of camera is leather wrapped with a leather handle and chrome accents. It folds smoothly closed to 1.5 inc...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Early 20th Century English Telescoping Surveyors Measure
Located in Burton, TX
Telescoping surveyors measuring staff made of wood with brass fittings. Marked 'Houghton-Butcher Mfg. Co. Ltd., London 1918 N0. 1.195'. Lovingly cared...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Large Kodak Folding No. 3A Camera with Mahogany Inlay c.1903 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A large Eastman Kodak No. 3A folding camera with red bellows and Mahogany inlay. The body is wrapped in leather with chrome and brass accents. The camera folds to 2 inches. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Antique "No. 1A Kodak Junior" Folding Camera c.1914-1927 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT The body of camera is leather wrapped with a leather handle and brass and chrome accents. It folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches. Sold for decorative purposes only. May or...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Brass

Blown glass scientific instrument, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument to evaluate the expansion of the liquids with the warmth. Italy circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Black and silver Art Deco design on both sides Show...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome, Metal

A set of bronze imperial standard bell weights by De Grave & Co
Located in London, GB
A set of bronze imperial standard bell weights by De Grave & Co of London, circa 1900. 4 bell weights: 7, 4, 2 and 1 lbs. With a case of smaller ounce and dram disc weights. (8, 4,...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Superb Large Painted Iron Balance Scales by Holliday & Co London 1907
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Superb Large Painted Iron Balance Scales by Holliday & Co London 1907 This very large and attractive beam balance scale is set on a cast Iron base the central upright columns are a...
Category

Early 1900s Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Art Deco Table or Desk Top Brass Mounted 7" Double Convex Magnifying Glass
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco desk/table top adjustable magnifying glass. A 7" diameter double convex lens in an open topped brass frame suspended between two vertical posts rising from a stepped two-tie...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Edwardian Camera on Tripod Stand
Located in Altrincham, GB
Edwardian Sanderson Ensign half plate camera, on hickory tripod stand, circa 1910 - 24" diam x 65"h set up - Sanderson Cameras Sanderson cameras, both field and 'Hand and Stand' for...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather, Hickory

Art Deco Kodak Junior Six-20 Bimat Folding Camera c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Black and silver Art Deco design on both sides Show...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Volta's electrophore, demonstrator of the flow of electrons Italy 1960.
Located in Milan, IT
Volta's electrophore, demonstrator of the flow of electrons from inert materials to conducting materials. Taking the instrument composed of a disc of conductive metal and a handle of...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Iron Worker Hand Forged Vintage Tools Set of 9
Located in Chula Vista, CA
collection handmade Iron Blacksmithing Tools- Set of 9 Antique Iron Worker Tools forging metal circa early 1900s tool total 9 25 the longest x 3...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron, Metal

Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard
Located in Udenhout, NL
Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard, in a good state.
Category

1940s Belgian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Slate

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 and glass. It's a coveted collecto...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Large Kodak Folding No. 3A Camera with Mahogany Inlay c.1910 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A large Eastman Kodak No. 3A folding camera with red bellows and Mahogany inlay. The body is wrapped in leather with chrome and brass accents. The camera folds to 2.5 inches. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Louis Xvi Style Carved Wood Paint and Parcel Gilt Barometer
Located in Nashville, TN
A pretty and highly decorative barometer of banjo form, marked ‘Palladio’ and Italy . Hand carved with leaves , ropes , fruit and flutes . The case probably having distressed fini...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

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

Nikon Lot N90 35mm Camera with MB-10 Grip SB-25 Flash MF-26 Control
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot includes Nikon N90s 35mm camera, MB-10 Multi Power Vertical Grip, SB-25 Speedlight flash, MF-26 Multi-Control Back, instruction books/original boxes, Complete User’s Guide Nikon ...
Category

Late 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Collection of Friedrich Ziegler wax model human heart development forms
Located in London, GB
Collection of Friedrich Ziegler wax model human heart development forms A rare collection of 4 wax models of the human heart, showing its early development to full size. The hand-col...
Category

Early 1900s German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber

Antique Nickel Plated Bronze Table Top Fire Engine Bell
Located in New York, NY
This antique bronze tabletop fire engine bell with a wood base is a rare find. Its nickel-plated bronze construction exudes vintage charm, making it a...
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Nickel

Fine Pair of Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by Dolland, London
Located in Bath, GB
A splendid pair of Edwardian Opera / Theatre glasses professionally re-polished to gleam, making them as good as they would have looked over 100 years ag...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Art Deco Portable Underwood Champion Typewriter c.1936
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco portable Underwood Champion typewriter in high gloss black finish and chrome. Bakelite and nickel keys with black and white lettering. Original Underwood lettering...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel, Nickel, Chrome

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

Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960 A folding model of an ear. Used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1960. Made of wood and plastic by Somso, Germany. ...
Category

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

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Crams Imperial World Globe Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16 Manufactured by George F Cram Co. Indiana, U.S.A Sizes are guesstimates
Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Revere S-16 16mm Sound Movie Projector w Case 22"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century Revere 16 sound projector with case. Working. Dimensions: 22"x 15.5" x 7.5"
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Pair Of Large Antique Italian Globes
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair Of Large Antique Italian Globes Large pair of terrestrial and celestial globes from Italy 1940s. The globes are in good conditio...
Category

1940s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Panicula (panicle)
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Panicula (panicle) A great antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Black Forest Style Carved Walnut Barometer, Germany, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest style carved walnut barometer, Germany, ca. 1920. An impressive carved walnut barometer with masterfully carved flowers and leaves. A small mirror on the top of the roun...
Category

1920s German Black Forest Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Walnut

Bronze Magnifying Glass w/ Art Nouveau Nude, ca. 1910
Located in Petaluma, CA
This lovely high quality magnifying glass makes a perfect piece for the art nouveau lover, or anyone who wants to hold a beautiful object when trying to magnify something. Note the ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Nikon AF Nikkor Camera Lens Set 28mm 50mm 85mm Speedlight Flash & Case
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Nikon camera lens lot. Comes with Lightware case, 3 Nikon AF Nikkor 1:1.4D lenses (28mm, 85mm, and 50mm), Nikon Speedlight SB-28 flash, 4 Nikon lens hoods (HN-31, HK-&, HN-1...
Category

Late 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Pocket barometer by C Baker in original case
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This pocket barometer was made by the firm of C Baker of 244 High Holborn, London and is still in its original leather covered case. The model number is 7073, ...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Dr Forbes Specifications Bath Thermometer
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Dr Forbes Specifications Bath Thermometer A great piece, the thermometer has a beech Case so that it can be floated to show the numerical temperature and also the recommended from ...
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Beech

Early 20th Century English Telescoping Surveyors Measure
Located in Burton, TX
Telescoping surveyors measuring staff made of wood with brass fittings. Marked 'Houghton-Butcher Mfg. Co. Ltd., London 1918 No. 1.173'. Lovingly care...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Push Button Genie Telephone in Peach
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Very sleek & cool styling in this Genie telephone. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear retains the great color of it's early days. Not tested.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Steel Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds three round-bottomed flasks. Once used as a tool for conducting laboratory analysis or e...
Category

20th Century Belgian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer. Clean vintage condition. Measures 8.5" in width, 33" in height and 2.25" in depth.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Nikon's Photomic FTn 35mm SLR Camera Fitted with Nikkor-H 50mm Prime Lens F2.0
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Nikon's Photomic FTn 35mm SLR Camera Fitted with Nikkor-H 50mm Prime Lens F2.0 With Brown Ever Ready case Great build quality, heavy weight camera made in Japan. In good working co...
Category

1960s Japanese Machine Age Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

US Navy Mark 74 Aiming Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
1943 United States Navy Telescope. Used primarily as part of the Mark 16 Aiming System on 50 caliber anti-aircraft gun mounts. Fitted with three sun filters...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Hour Sand Glass in Pewter
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Pewter and Sand 15 Minutes Hour Glass
Category

1920s French Folk Art Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Pewter

19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Grain Grate
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Grain Grate A great antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900. H...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Spica (simple ear)
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Spica (simple ear) A great antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Pen with Pearl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Rollerball pen with pearl. Montblanc honors Greta Garbo in the form of another mystical writing i...
Category

Late 20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Resin

Male Anatomical Torso Somso AS24, 1960
Located in Faversham, GB
Somso AS24 male torso with head. The fourteen removal organs are made from Somso Plast with the muscles shown on the right-hand side of the torso. From a large European collection, v...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic, Plaster

Pocket barometer by J H Steward in original case
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This pocket barometer was made by the firm of by J H Steward and is still in its original leather covered case. The silvered dial with its blued pointer is surrounded by a rotating a...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique 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

Superb Antique French Opera Glasses Signed Chevalier, Paris c.1900
By Chevalier Opticien Paris
Located in Bath, GB
A truly exquisite pair of Opera Glasses by the well renowned French maker, Chevalier of Paris, signed on both eye pieces. The glasses are made from polished brass and Abalone shell ...
Category

Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a lovely cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in th...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Umbella (umbel)
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Umbella (umbel) A great antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 190...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

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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