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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Set of 3 Antique Root Bowls, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia, 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A set of 3 wooden wabi sabi root bowls from Scandinavia, circa 1800s. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use. One of the bowls has an old repair.
Mea...
Category
19th Century Swedish Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
18th Century French Louis XVI Period Gilded Barometer by Evangelista Torricelli
By Evangelista Torricelli
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, large antique French Louis XVI period barometer, signed by Torricelli in gilded wood and of oval shape with original scientific illustrations, in good condition. The detailed wall décor piece is consisting its original glass. Framed with gilt foliate trim and important pediment. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1750, France.
The Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
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
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
Fossilized Horse Leg. Equus Sp., Pleistocene, Florida, USA
Located in Madrid, ES
A fossilized horse leg. Equus sp., Pleistocene, Florida, USA
This set of fossil horse bones dates from an extinct equine. The inter-locking bones are eleg...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bone
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
18th Century Gold French Gilded Wood Barometer, Antique Parisian Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...
Category
Late 18th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
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 4 Draw Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Astronomical, Dollond, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique four draw telescope. An English, brass refractor for terrestrial or astronomical use by Dollond of London, dating to the late Victori...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Victorian Kitchen 40 Pound Scale Cast Iron Balance w/ Ironstone Plate
By Young Son & Marlow
Located in Hyattsville, MD
No chips or cracks to the Stoneware tray. Heavy item about 60 lbs. Seems to be working, but you will need counterweights to use it, that will go on the metal tray.
Ironstone stone...
Category
19th Century American High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
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
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 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 Victorian Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality mahogany banjo barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Having a quality mahogany shaped banjo barometer with scroll shaped carving ci...
Category
1880s Scottish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
John Cary Travel Celestial Globe in Box Marked Cary & Co London, No. 21540
By John Cary
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely John Cary Travel Celestial Globe in Box marked Cary & Co London, No. 21540
This globe I believe is classed as a 14 inch which is the...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
Antique 16th Century Islamic Safavid Al Jazari Combination Locking Brass Casket
Located in Portland, OR
A highly important engraved Islamic combination locking brass casket, based on a design by the 12th Century Arab inventor & artist Ismail Al Jazari. Circa...
Category
16th Century Iraqi Islamic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
16th century Spanish Bronze Mortar with Letters M on the Sides
Located in Marbella, ES
16th century Spanish Bronze Mortar with Letters M on the Sides
Category
16th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique Victorian Brass & Scottish Agate Postal Scale & Weights, Circa 1865-1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Victorian Brass and Scottish Agate Postal scale with Weights, Circa 1865-1870.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Agate, Brass
Set of W T Avery 10 LB Bankers Balance Scales and Weights
By W & T Avery
Located in London, by appointment only
Magnificent set of very large bankers 10lb balance scales together with a contemporary set of stamped W T Avery weights 7, 4, 2, 1 lb. Fully restored, po...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
18th Century Italian Bronze Pestle for a Mortar, 9 Inches Long
Located in Stamford, CT
If you've got the mortar, I have the pestle! There are so many mortars out there, and so few pestles. It's nice to have both. Here is your opportunity to marry this large scale pestl...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
1890 Small Antique Nautical Brass Pelorus Boyce-Meyer Pelorus Bronxonville N.Y
Located in Milan, IT
Antique small brass Pelorus, signed Boyce-Meyer Pelorus Bronxonville N.Y., made in the late of the XIX century. It has a sight system with a compass card with eight winds and goniome...
Category
1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Coffee Grinder from Peugeot Freres Mod A0
Located in Roma, IT
Rarissimo modello A0 creato alla fine dell'800, conservato, non restaurato nel suo colore originale, costruito in ghisa e cassetti in legno funzionanti nel meccanismo della mola.
Man...
Category
Late 19th Century French Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Antique 18th or Early 19th Century Horn Folding Magnifying Glass or Loupe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique magnifying glass or loupe.
The frame comprised of horn (likely from a steer or ram).
The magnifying glass is be rotated in and out of the cover protecting the lens while not in use.
Simply a great antique magnifier...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Horn, Glass
Set of 2 Antique Bamboo Trader's Abacus, Chinese, Oak, Bamboo, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of 2 antique bamboo trader's abacus. A Chinese, oak and bamboo counting apparatus, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Wonderfully tactile handmade instruments
Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good original order
Set within oak frames, showing dark, weathered hues
Rows of turned bamboo...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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
Tate's double acting vacuum pump by Townson & Mercer, of London.
Located in London, GB
A Tate's double acting vacuum pump by Townson & Mercer, of Bishopsgate, London. circa 1890.
With glass bell jar, 7 inch diameter.
Literature:
Catalogue of chemical apparatus and pure chemicals sold by Townson & Mercer. 1888. Page: 228.
Nineteenth-century Scientific Instruments, Gerard L'Estrange Turner, 1893. Page 101.
Townson & Mercer, 89 Bishopsgate Street Within, London. Established 1798.
Thomas Turner Tate (1807 - 1888). invented his pattern of a double piston air pump...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
18th Century Silver Pocket Compass by J&W Watkins
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An 18th century silver pocket compass signed by Watkins Charing cross, London
The enamel compass rose finely segmented
Marked TH and dated 1787.
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
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
Vernier Protractor by Newton & Co of London
Located in London, GB
A mid 19th century brass Vernier protractor by Newton & Co of London.
With two screw in fixing points.
Signed: Newton & Co 3, Fleet St, London
Marked with Broad-Arrow: WD 5679.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for weighing scale
A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustme...
Category
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
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
Bronze Mortar with Pestle, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mortar with hand. Bronze. XVII century.
Mortar with a circular base, cylindrical body and slightly outwardly flared mouth, decorated with a series of smooth horizontal moldings arranged both in the lower and upper areas and with simple vertical elements (which still maintain slight balustraded shapes) derived from of the ribs that these specimens used to have in the medieval Spanish...
Category
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Other
Apothecary Stills, Italy, 1800
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of antique stills in blown glass from a pharmacy laboratory, mounted on a coeval wooden base in the shape of a parallelepiped. Italy around 1800.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
19th C. Scientific Optical Mirror in Black Hardwood Frame on Tripod Brass Stand
Located in Haarlem, NL
A large 19th Century scientific optical mirror in round blackened hardwood frame on brass articulated tripod stand. The mirror looks concave or convex shaped, but if you look closely...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Engraving of Constructing Sun Dials, 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print of Ferguson's method of constructing sun dials. This print originates from 'The Gentleman's Magazine'.
Artists and Engravers: The Gentleman'...
Category
18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
19th Century Dentist's Treadle Drill, by Ss White Dental Manufacturing Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
S.S. White Dental Manufacturing Company Treadle Drill, Operational *
USA, circa late 19th century
*Operational means, when the foot pedal is engaged the engine wheel turns, there are no attachments to test, we do not know if the mechanism will do anything more than spin the 'wheel engine'
An intact, very complete (except for drill attachments ) antique dental...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel, Iron
Rare Antique Engraving of Microscopes, 1749
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'A true Representation of sveral microscopes with some objects (..)'. Print of various microscopes, illustrating several microscope parts. This print originates ...
Category
18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Georgian Rare Steel Cased Tuning Fork
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very unusual and rare Georgian antique steel cased tuning fork dating from around 1800. A wonderful piece of musical interest and history the tuning fork...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Sterling Silver Case Containing Two Lancets Birmingham, 1853
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This very attractive and well made sterling silver case with a hinged lid, contains two steel bladed lancets which were used by doctors for bloodletting, applying vaccines or drainin...
Category
1850s English Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Sterling Silver
Collection of 18th and 19th Century Arabic Astrolabes and Quadrant
Located in London, GB
A collection of 18th and 19th century Arabic astrolabes and quadrant
Persian, 18th/19th Century
Largest: height 23cm, width 13cm, depth 3cm
Smallest: height 6.5cm, width 4.5cm, depth 1.5cm
This excellent set of antique astronomical instruments is a selection of five Persian brass astrolabes...
Category
Early 19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Late 19th Century Barometer
By Selon Torricelli
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French late 19th century barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Stick Barometer by Nairne London
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An elegant 18th century satinwood and ebony stick barometer by Edward Nairne, London.
Nairne was a famous 18th century scientific instrument and barometer...
Category
18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
Cased Pair of Max and Minimum Temperature Thermometers
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A super set of experiment quality patent Negretti and Zambra max and min thermometers in the original mahogany case one with mercury ant other with alcohol
from the collection of...
Category
19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Lithographic Print on Paper, Depicting the Male Genital System, France 1850 Ca
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical lithographic print on paper, depicting the male genital system. Black lacquered fir wood frame with golden ramin wood batting. N. H. Jacob, Pari...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Victorian Stick Barometer, circa 1880
Located in Lincoln, GB
Victorian Stick Barometer circa 1880 Finely Carved and inlaid with satinwood decoration. Possible Scottish provenance.
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam
Located in Norwell, MA
Antique ships compass with interesting Dutch lettering. Spun brass bowl with gimbal. Fitted to a primitive dovetailed box. Circa 1880. With compas...
Category
1880s European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century David Livingston Memorial Relic Heart Buried Beneath 1873
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A very odd Victorian curiosity, a section of the tree that the Scottish physician, Congregationalist and pioneer Christian missionary David Livingston was buried under.
It's belie...
Category
Mid-19th Century Zambian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Hardwood
Tripod Apothecary Skillet Late 17th-Early 18th Century, England
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Apothecary tripod skillet from the end of the 17th century beginning of the 18th century From England.
The skillet is in superb condition and has not undergone any restorations.
Br...
Category
Early 18th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique Napoleon III Parisian Giltwood Barometer, "Bodeur a Paris", Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
Napoleon III style, sometimes referred to as The Second Empire style, was greatly influenced by the Neoclassical aspects of the Louis XVI period. This giltwood barometer from Paris w...
Category
1830s French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, 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.
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French Mercury Barometer
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