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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
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 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
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 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
Rainbow SP019 Softphone, Design by Canetti Group for Canetti
By Canetti
Located in FERROL, ES
Rainbow SP019 Softphone, design by Canetti Group for Canetti.
Made of multicolored foam.
Has some wear to bottom buttons.
Measures: 22x7x3 cm.
Category
1990s Chinese Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Foam, Rubber
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
1980s Chocolate Brown Touchtone Desk Phone
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage chocolate brown touchtone desk phone. Circa 1980s
Features a bright chocolate brown body with contrasting gray buttons.
The base has rubber feet ...
Category
1980s South Korean Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
A bleeding set signed Blackwell, England 1850.
Located in Milan, IT
Travelling mahogany case set for bleeding, brass apparatuses for bleeding and glass cups. Signed Blackwell London, 1850 ca.
Category
Mid-19th Century English 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
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
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
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
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 R. & J. Beck Stereoscope
By R.&J. Beck 1
Located in Norwood, NJ
Museum quality tabletop Stereoscope by British maker R. & J. Beck London. It is fitted with with adjustable rack and pinion focusing and elevation adjustment for ease of viewing. Eac...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Late 19th French Mahogany & Brass Balance Scale, c.1870
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
A late 19th century balance scale. The body is Mahogany with two brass trays, brass and glass window and bronze inner mechanism. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Large Antique English "Bartlett & Son, " Goose Neck Merchant's Scale, Circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Large Antique English goose neck merchant's scale signed "Bartlett & Sons" of Bristol, England, circa 1880.
Heavy Brass Commodity Scale with Weights Included
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
German Reflecting Telescope in Limited Edition from the Deutsches Museum in 1978
Located in Sofia, BG
Gregory brass spyglass - Deutsches Museum 1978/79 limited edition.
This reflecting foldable telescope is being published in a worldwide limited edition...
Category
Late 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Holland Circle by Baumann and Kinzelbach
Located in New Orleans, LA
This intriguing item is almost certainly a Holland Circle by German scientific instrument makers Baumann & Kinzelbach. The Holland Circle, sometimes referred to as a Dutch Circle, was used in land surveying and is a precursor to the theodolite, an optical instrument for measuring angles. Baumann and Kinzelbach were based in Stuttgart, Germany, and in addition to crafting surveying instruments...
Category
19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Spanish Pharmacy Bottle Made with Blowing Technique
Located in Marbella, ES
18th century Spanish Pharmacy bottle made with blowing technique.
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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
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
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
Set of a Barometer and a Clock, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of a barometer and a clock, 19th century
Set of a barometer and a clock in carved wood, from the 19th century, Louis XVI style, Napoleon III period, great decoration.
The mechanism of the clock is missing, but it is possible on request to put an old clock...
Category
1870s European Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
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 adjustm...
Category
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
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
19th Century Shop Double Paper Roll Cutter Dispenser
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th century shop double paper roll cutter dispenser
This is a rare and very unusual paper roll cutter, the stand is made in Beech and Iron, it ho...
Category
Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
French Vintage Massive Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This massive culinary or produce scale from Lyon, France is the perfect antique accessory to elevate any kitchen. The base is made of solid waxed pine wi...
Category
19th Century French Rustic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Copper, Iron
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
Space Age Food Scale by Marco Zanuso for Terraillon
By Marco Zanuso
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design on this beautiful scale design by Marco Zanuso for Terraillon, circa 1970's, very light use and perfect working condition.
Category
Late 20th Century French Space Age Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
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
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 atlas of the hand, France 1850 ca.
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical lithographic print on paper, depicting the anatomical atlas of the hand. Black lacquered fir wood frame with golden ramin wood batting. N. H. Ja...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Lithographic print on paper depicting the muscular system of a neck, France 1850
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical lithographic print on paper, depicting a cross section of the muscular system of the neck. Black lacquered fir wood frame with golden ramin wood batting...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Lithographic print on paper depicting the muscular system of a neck, France 1850
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical lithographic print on paper, depicting a cross section of the muscular system of the neck. Black lacquered fir wood frame with golden ramin wood batting...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, 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
Antique Vineyard Setter's Compass, French, Brass, Surveyor's Instrument, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique vineyard setter's compass. A French, brass surveyor's instrument with mahogany case and stand, dating to the late Victorian period, c...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage, Commercial Grade Tri Pod by Samson
Located in New York, NY
High quality vintage camera trim pod by Samson. The trim pod is adjustable in various ways, including height ( 42- 73.5 in ) in addition the camera platform tilts and can be related ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
19th Century Dental Tool Kit
Located in London, GB
19th century dental tool kit
A rare set of 19th century dental tool kit, all tools are encased in a wooden box with brass latch and lined with a worn red...
Category
19th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique English Oak and Brass Postal Scale
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English oak and brass postal scale.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Blunt and Company Maritime Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Mid-nineteenth century ships compass by Blunt and Company of New York. The Blunt name was involved in the maritime trade from 1824 to 1885. The name Blunt and Co. was used from 1868 to 1872 by Edmund Blunt Jr. This is a spun brass bowl compass fitted to a dovetailed wood box...
Category
1870s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Decorative Butcher's Steelyard, English, Iron, Weighing Instrument, 1800
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 adjustment of balance weight
The Steel...
Category
Early 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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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