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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 1910s
French Wooden Scale, Late 19th-Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a large weighing surface and a smaller side for weights.
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Telescope with original leather case from World War II, English circa 1940
Located in Central England, GB
This fine example of a World War II military spotting telescope is the type issued to a British army sniper, who would have used it to locate an enemy sniper in a hidden position.
T...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Vintage Handheld Tachometer, English Tool Speed Gauge, Smiths Instruments, Decor
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage handheld tachometer. An English, enamelled alloy and glass decorative tool speed gauge by Smiths Instruments, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960.
Untested, but in fine decorative condition for the collector of vintage gauges...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Zoological Lithograph Water Predators 1912 Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 21 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting water predators. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. Good conditi...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Botanical Model in Enlarged Section of a Moraceae Syconium, Italy, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Model in enlarged section of a Moraceae syconium (fig for example is a syconium). The model is made of painted plaster and almost certainly made by Paravia in the thirties. Measures ...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
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
Large Format Box Camera, circa 1915
Located in Hudson, NY
This large format box camera was made by the Folmer & Schwing Division of Eastman Kodak in Rochester NY. The case constructed of mahogany in a rich old red finish has many original details and was being used as a working camera until around 1960. See photo 5 for a retrofitted aftermarket shutter lens that was its last upgrade and done professionally to make the antique camera...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Leather, Glass, Wood
1940s Antique Wood Clamps Rustic Carpentry Tool
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of antique wood clamps .Prior use to build boats
Dimensions: Largest 63 L x 5.25 D x 1.25 W Short 48 L x 5 W x 1.5...
Category
Mid-20th Century Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
$240 Sale Price
20% Off
A Brendel botanic model: Taxus-Yew, Germany 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Taxus N.40a female (Coniferae), Badger. The round base in ebonized wood holds three models: an example of a male Sporophile, a female Aril enla...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Set of Vintage Draughtsman's Rules, English, Engineer's Instruments, circa 1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of vintage draughtsman's rules. An English, beech engineer's instrument set in a mahogany case, dating to the mid 20th century period, circa 1930.
Useful set of measuring...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
French Antique Contin Typewriter from the, 1940s
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French antique Contin Typewriter from the 1940s
This is a Contin Continsouza Paris, Modèle A n 24 - 1940s, the typewriter is good tidy condition, as a show piece, it all seems to...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16
By Cram's
Located in Reading, Berkshire
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
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Olivetti lettera DL by Sottsass Ettore design in years '70
Located in Biella, IT
Olivetti lettera DL by Sottsass Ettore design in years '70 working
very good vintage with her original box
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Reichert Austria Microscope 241 653 in Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Reichert Austria Microscope Number 241 653 in Wooden Box with Accessories as Pictured. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Box: 14.5" H x 9" W x 10.5" D.
Category
Late 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Goodell-Pratt Brass and Wood Level c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A vintage level with two bubbles, large brass label and brass accents.
CREATOR Goodell-Pratt Company, Mass.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1930-1940.
MATERIALS AND TECHN...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
chinoiserie Decorated Circular Barometer, circa 1930s
By Acme Photo
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie decorated circular barometer, circa 1930s.
Black background with gold decoration,
Depicting, houses, temple, figures, trees & foliage,
Brass face,
Badge on back, re...
Category
1930s European Chinoiserie Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Lacquer
$496 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Orrery – Tellurium by Paravia, Torino (1900, Italy)
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare and collectible orrery (tellurium) produced by the renowned Italian maker Paravia, Torino in 1900. This finely crafted planetary model illustrates the Earth-Sun-Moon system, dem...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Paravia Collection 100 Rocks, Educational Material, Italy 1950s
By Paravia
Located in Naples, IT
Collection 100 Rocks, Teaching Material, Italy 1950s
Geology teaching board "Minerals and Rocks" G.B. Paravia Scientific Collection - Turin
The ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rock Crystal
Antique Ross Telescope, English, 3 Draw, Terrestrial Refractor, Early 20th, 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Ross of London telescope. An English, brass three draw terrestrial refractor, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Camera / Enlarger Circa 1910s
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Early Wooden Antique Camera / Enlarger Circa 1910s
Please look at the photos, this has not been touched in decades. It is just the way you would like to find it, untouched. True anti...
Category
1910s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Telescope with Adjustable Wooden Legs and Patinated Brass Hardware
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Telescopes are a terrific decorative addition to any den, library or study. A compliment to any Ralph Lauren, rustic or studious environment, ours has all wooden adjustable legs with...
Category
20th Century Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Gucci Rare Stationery Set
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Gucci stationery set with a triangular ruler and pencil in original burgundy case / Made in Italy
Length: 14 inches, depth: 9.25, height: 1.5 inches
1 available in stock in Ital...
Category
20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
An old ophtalmology device, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
An old Italian ophthalmological device with a table with backlit letters, to test eyesight. Sbisa, company founded in Florence in 1869. Case in wood and glass. The electrical system ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Large Vintage Mongolian Wooden Math Abacus with Painted Wooden Balls
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Vintage Mongolian Wooden Math Abacus with Painted Wooden Balls. Item features Painted wooden balls in red, pink, gray, orange, blue, yellow, green and brown. Circa Mid 20th Cen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Rope Twist Carved Oak Nautical Barometer
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century barometer with porcelain face with merchants name A Black & Co., Nautical Optician, Glasgow. Carved rope twist case with brass bezel. Brass hanging tab. Nice ...
Category
1930s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Phantom Dental Training Simulator on Custom Steel Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A phantom dental training simulator used in dental school with removable rubber shroud. Mounted on a custom steel stand. The aluminum jaws have a magnetic quick disconnect sys...
Category
Late 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
$825 Sale Price
44% Off
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Barley
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Barley
A rare antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900. Highly ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Mid-Century Era Assorted Medical Doctor's Field Examination Instrument Set
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage medical doctor's instrument set is unsigned, except for a few numbers on several of the pieces, but presumed to have originated from German...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stainless Steel
Set of Six Old Pharmacy Glass Bottles, Germany around 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of Six Old Pharmacy glass bottles, made in Germany around 1900.
5 bottles from Jena (Schott and Gen Jena) and 1 Wirag laboratory glass.
The logo ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Vintage Telescope Tripod, English, Oak, Bronze, Support Stand, 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage telescope tripod. An English, oak and bronze support Stand, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1940.
Displays a desirable aged...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
1930s Hand Carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Located in Marbella, ES
1930s Hand Carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By R. Krengel 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By R. Krengel 1910s Eupen Belgium
High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Vintage Factory Barometer, English, Oak, Banjo, Official, Factory Act 1937
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage factory barometer. An English, oak banjo barometer, officially marked in compliance with the Factory Act 1937 and dating to circa 1940.
Select oak displays fine ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Oak
1930s Hand-carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Located in Marbella, ES
1930s Hand-carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone
Gallon chekpump for Northamptonshire County Council
Located in London, GB
A copper and brass one gallon "chekpump" standard fuel measure for Northamptonshire County Council. Circa 1915.
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
Antique Teaching Model Stages of the Appendix, Ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted anatomical model of the appendix in different stages. It is made of plaster and mounted on a wooden base. Manufactured most probably by SOMSO or PHYWE, G...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Ancient anatomical model of the hand, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting the hand swinging on a fork supported by a black lacquered wooden base.
Made of plaster and finished entirely in colour. Ital...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Antique Teaching Aid - Median Incision of the Human Head by PHYWE
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid - Median Incision of the Human Head by PHYWE
A great antique hand-painted and hand lettered anatomical model. A median incision of the head for class. It is mad...
Category
Early 20th Century German Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
1950 Film 16mm Camera, SOM Berthiot, France
Located in Miami, FL
Société d'Optique et de Mécanique Berthiot (SOM Berthiot) was a French manufacturer of optics and photographic lenses. They produced C and D mount motion picture lenses for professio...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Vintage Mid-Century Globe Meat Slicer Sculptural Enameled Iron & Stainless
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and powerful, 1/4hp GM Delco motor. Globe deli meat slicer from the forties. Super quiet motor with a new cord and switch. In excellent vintage co...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stainless Steel, Enamel, Iron, Chrome, Steel
Miele Vintage Vacuum Cleaner, Type E10
Located in Budapest, HU
Torpedo shaped vacuum cleaner in good condition.
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage 5 Draw Brass Telescope
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage brass 5 draw extendable hand telescope. Comes with original cap to cover glass end and brass eyepiece cover that slides in and out of place. Unusually long telescope at just ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pigeon Timer By German Maker In Oak Case
Located in Norwell, MA
Oak cased pigeon timer with clock face that is marked made in Germany. 7 jewel clock by Benzing. Keu is present. Varnished oak dove tailed box. Everyone...
Category
1930s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Carved oak wall hanging Banjo barometer
Located in Cheshire, GB
Carved oak barometer, the shaped carved oak frame with rectangular thermometer encased by glass. Above the enamelled dial with brass bezel, flanked by crisp scrolling carved decorati...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Copper & brass fuel measures by Sutherland Astell
Located in London, GB
Two copper and brass metric "Checkpump" fuel measures by Sutherland Astell, circa 1950.
Made for the County Borough of Blackpool.
Marked: 10 and 20 litres, at 20°.
20L, Height: 23...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
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
Pair of Vintage Montblanc Meisterstruck & Starwalker Pens with Boxes & Papers
By Montblanc
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of vintage rollerball pens were made by the well known Montblanc factory of Germany in approximately 1990 in their classic modern style. theiThe black cased pen from this grouping is their "Meisterstruck" model with a clear tip on the cap, and a gold band around the center of the barrel with "MONTBLANC" and "MEISTERSTRUCK" in block letters. The other pen of this group with the brushed metal case is their "Starwalker" model. Both pens come with thier original fitted boxes, and we have one outer box and some paperwork. Both of these Montblanc rollerball pens...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stainless Steel
10 demountable geometric solids in oak height 7.9 inch 1960 Vallardi Milan
Located in Milan, IT
Box containing 10 removable geometric solids made of oak wood, maximum height 20 cm -inches 7.9, housed in their original wooden box. Made for educational purposes for schools by pub...
Category
1960s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
French Baker's Scale
Located in Houston, TX
French Baker's scale. This antique cast iron baker's scale includes original weights.
Great Kitchen Accessory!
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
$1,450
Antique Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting the Human Skeleton
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting the Human Skeleton
A rare 19th century anatomical wall chart depicting the human skeleton. On the sides On the...
Category
Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Unusual Antique Telescopic Gadget Cane with Ebonized Walking Stick
Located in Shippensburg, PA
TELESCOPE GADGET CANE
20th century
38 1/4" H
An ingenious gentleman’s gadget cane, the handle crafted of polished chromed nickel and designed to cleverly conceal a fully functional...
Category
20th Century Unknown Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
Electrostatic machine by Wimshurst, designed by Rinaldo Damiani, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Electrostatic machine by Wimshurst, a British engineer and shipowner, designed in the 1880s, created by Rinaldo Damiani, a builder active in Venice between the end of the nineteenth ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
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
Mid-Century French Louis XV Carved Giltwood Wall Barometer
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique Louis XV barometer was crafted in Paris, France, circa 1960. Square in shape, the wall piece features the original hand painte...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Walnut cased Barograph
Located in Cheshire, GB
John Trotter walnut-cased Barograph, having five beveled glazed removable lid, and a drawer below to house the charts. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fitted...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
$2,143 Sale Price
20% Off
Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, SOMSO, Germany circa 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made out of polyvinyl chloride, plaster, glass and painted paper, metal ho...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Silver Magnifying Glass with Antler Horn Handle
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
We love seeing this sitting atop antique books on a coffee or side table as well as functional on a desk in an office. Fantastic patina on this vintage magnifying glass.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver Plate
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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