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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Floor Standing Telescope by Piet G. Meesters
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This beautiful floor standing telescope, 60mm f/15 NEDOPTIFA, dates from the 1930s and was made by Piet G. Meesters.
One of the most famous Dutch amateur astronomers of the last cent...
Category
1930s Dutch Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
French Brass and Leather Three Draw Telescope, Late 19th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
Late 19th century French brass and leather 3 draw telescope spyglass.
The spyglass is made from brass. The base is wrapped with leather. Comes with the...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Ornate Antique Gilt & Floral Hand Painted Soda Fountain Cash Register C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote***
Ornate & Petite Antique Gilt & Floral Hand Painted Ice Cream or Soda Fountain Country Store Cash Register C1920
Measures - 20.5"h x 12"w x 15.5"d
An exquisite antique cash register...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$1,160 Sale Price
20% Off
Double Sided Standing Dutch Chalk Board
Located in Stamford, CT
A very large 1900-1910 century chalk board from the Netherlands. The solid wood stand is substantial and easy to move on its antique casters. Great in a kid's room, a restaurant, or ...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Oval Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Oval glazed ceramic thermometer by the french artist Mithé Espelt, it features pale beige glaze and crackling gold.
Bibliographie: Mithé Espelt, the discreet luxury of the everyday
...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
Set of Two Mushrooms Scientific Models Europe , Germany 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage set of two different types of mushrooms, show Models which are native to middle Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools. Colorful...
Category
1960s German Folk Art Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Vintage Human Body Educational Model / Anatomical Model, circa 1940s
Located in Lucenec, SK
Fantastic looking vintage anatomical model of a full human body on a black granite base. The height of the model with base (4 cm) is 82 cm.
Unfortunately, removable parts are missing.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Granite
$1,065 Sale Price
28% Off
Kinetoscope Projector Thomas Edison, Dated About 1904, USA
By Edison
Located in Madrid, ES
Kinetoscope projector Thomas Edison, dated about 1904,
is a museum piece.
Film Projector Thomas Edison, USA, in excellent condition.
Mounted on a ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Brass and Bakelite telescopic acoustic cornet England early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Telescopic acoustic cornet made of brass and Bakelite , English manufacture of the early 1900s.
The principle of its operation is based on the reflection of sound on the inner walls,...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Round-section brass telescope with mahogany-lined handle 1850
Located in Milan, IT
Round-section brass telescope with mahogany-lined handle, four-extension focus. English manufacture from the mid-19th century. Good condition signs of wear and tear, fully functional...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
RARE SUITE OF ORIGINAL NATURAL HiSTORY MUSEUM CASED IN PERSPEX SPECIMENS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this amazing suite of original natural history museum cased specimens
A very rare find, these are old examples and some very interesting pieces, the list is as follows
1:- POM 17615 PINGUICULA
2:- POM 17600 VENUS FLYTRAP...
Category
20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
$1,209 Sale Price
30% Off
Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer
Located in London, GB
In their elaborate use of C-scrolls, putti figures, stylised acanthus leaves and flowers, this clock and barometer are clearly Rococo in their style. The Rococo came into fashion in ...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
$24,889 / set
1960s Hanging Brass Temperature Thermometer Gauge
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Brass Temperature Gauge
1960s Modern Decorative Brass Hanging Temperature Thermometer Gauge
Solid Brass and Cork
10 tall 3.5 tall with handle x 1.13 in diameter
Preowned original...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Lorgnettes 'Long-Handled Opera Glasses' Mid-Century Italian Design 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
A splendid pair of 'lorgnettes' (long-handled opera, or theatre, glasses). Lorgnettes, eye glasses held in place by long handles rather than resting on the bridge of one's nose, were...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$459 Sale Price
20% Off
George III Mahogany Banjo Barometer Edinburgh
Located in Huntington, NY
George III Mahogany Banjo Barometer By Edie & Son. Edinburgh
Alexander James Adie FRSE MWS (7 November 1775, Edinburgh – 4 December 1858, Edinburgh) was a Scottish maker of medical ...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1920s Mahogany & Brass Antique Tool Carpentry Scribe
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mahogany Wood & Patinated Brass Antique Old Carpentry Marking Tool circa 1920s USA
Carpenter Scribe Marking Gauge Vintage Wood Working Tool in Wood ...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Steel and Brass Pruning Shears c1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Vintage steel parrot beak pruning shears with brass spring-loaded handle and lock.
CREATOR P.S. & W. Co. Pexto, Cleveland, OH.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1920.
MATER...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Curiosity Cabinet Collection of Shells, 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
Italian Brass Land-Surveyor Instrument Made in 1860 with its Original Walnut Box
Located in Milan, IT
Land-surveyor squaring, measuring instrument made of brass, Italian manufacture, from the second half of the 19th century, complete with original walnut box. It is a topographic inst...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Compass with Pocket Sundial, with Case, Bronze, Butterfield, Michael '1635-1724'
Located in Madrid, ES
Compass with pocket sundial, with case. Bronze. BUTTERFIELD, Michael (1635-1724). Paris, circa 1700.
Pocket sundial made of engraved metal, with a gno...
Category
Early 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Other
Antique German Head & Shoulders Anatomical Model by F & M Lautenschläger
Located in London, GB
Antique Anatomical Model, Medical Antique, Anatomical Antique, Vintage Anatomical Model, Antique Cabinet of Curiosities, Gothic Antique, Anatomical Sculpture.
Antique German Head & ...
Category
1910s German Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Accordion by Sabatino Nocentini & Figli Made in Florence, Italy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Italian custom made accordion by Sabatino Nocentini Castiglion & Figli.
Antique pearl white accordion, Italian accordion with profuse inlay decoration, gorgeous hand made wit...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Abalone, Wood, Shell
Antique Kitchen Mortar & Pestle, English, Bronze, Apothecary, Chemist, Georgian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique kitchen mortar and pestle. An English, bronze apothecary or chemist's shop aid, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1780.
Useful kitchen or apothecary aid from ...
Category
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Anatomical model of a chiken, Germany 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
A life-size anatomical model of a chicken, with separable anatomical parts, for educational use. Made of painted plaster, wooden and metal base. Somso, Germany circa 1930.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
$124 Sale Price
20% Off
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
1986 Enorme Telephone by Ettore Sottsass for Enorme
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly postmodern telephone designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of ...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Rare 19th Century Large Original Painted Lightning Rod on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic folky oversized 19th century mustard over copper Lightning rod ball on a professional iron stand. The base is a plank of original work that the...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
$700 Sale Price
71% Off
Antique "No. 3 Folding Pocket Kodak, Model AB" Camera c.1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The Kodak No.3 Model AB is an early model. The body of camera is all leather with a leather handle and unique leather covered lens. it folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Victorian Brass Novelty Clock by Elkington & Co
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian brass novelty clock by Elkington & Co., in the form of a double steering-wheel, one wheel enclosing a clock and the other a barometer, with ...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century thermometer in original case
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century thermometer in original case circa 1890.
Fine quality thermometer which measures between -45 degrees centigrade and +50. In fully working condition, complete in its ori...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Paper
1900s French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This early 1900s French Metal Scale is an evocative piece of history that marries function with rustic charm. Featuring a robust metal frame with an aged, weathered patina, the scale...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19th C Wax F.Ziegler Anatomical Models Studies Embryo Plant Scientific Medical
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rare pair of wax studies by F.Ziegler taken from the imagery of F.Keibel
We believe the larger of the two models to be off a human embryo and the other to be of a plant.
The ...
Category
1890s German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Hamilton 17-Jewel Full Hunter Pocket Watch, c.1925 – Gold-Filled Case
Located in Worcester, GB
Hamilton 17-Jewel Full Hunter Pocket Watch, c.1925 – Gold-Filled Case
A beautifully preserved early 20th-century full hunter pocket watch by the Hamilton Watch Company, Lancaster, Pe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold Plate
Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open.
The original use was a flea trap, things were d...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th c. D.R. Barton Smooth Coffin Plane c.1832
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Rare D handled smooth coffin plane.
CREATOR D.R. Barton.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1832.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Walnut, Steel.
CONDITION Good. Wear consiste...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
System walking stick, a telescope, England 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Gadget-System stick. The tip is made of iron and brass, high and decorated by a series of thin circles. The shaft is made entirely of painted brass and constructed to emulate a bambo...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
A Large 19th Century Brass Library Telescope Marked A. Bardou, Paris
By A. Bardou
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and impressive 19th century French brass library telescope marked A. Bardou, Paris.
(Denis Albert Bardou; 1841 - 1893)
The telescope mounted on a brass and cast iron tripod ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
1970's Vintage Framed Abacus - Pair
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1970’s Vintage Framed Abacus – Pair.
Sourced from a collector in the Czech republic this is a pair of large scale abacus used as a class teaching model. In excellent condition.
Wor...
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Birch
$89 / set
Vintage Beam Compass, German, Cartography, Architect Drawing Instrument, Riefler
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage beam compass. A German, silver nickel cartographer's or architect's drawing instrument by Riefler, dating to the late 20th cent...
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
Antique Trolley Fare Counter with Bronze Handle c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique steel fare register trolley counter with original manufacturers label inside. Double window with "Cash", "Tickets" and rolling numbers. Solid bronze handle on the bott...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open.
The original use was a flea trap, things were d...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Palethorpes Butcher’s Balance Scales, Advertising Sausages
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Palethorpes Butcher’s Balance Scales, Advertising Sausages
Palethorpes’ Butcher’s Scales with Brass Bell Weights
The scale has a brass weight plate on one side and a Painted glass ...
Category
1930s Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
American Victorian Metal Stereoscope
Located in Queens, NY
2 American Victorian-style wood and etched metal stereoscope.(PRICED EACH)
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$950 / item
Globemaster Brass & Bronzed Metal Floor Globe by Replogle 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
A globemaster floor globe by Replogle offers globe on brass and bronzed metal base having swivel carriage on column with circular foot, 20th c...
Category
20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
Curiosity Cabinet 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
Sunshine Recorder by Casella of London
Located in London, GB
A Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder, attributed to Casella & Co, circa 1910.
Mounted on a later wooden display plinth.
Marked with serial number...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Fine Pair Golden Guilloche Enamel and Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses, c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Pretty as a picture and in outstanding condition, this lovely pair of early twentieth century opera glasses come complete with their original case (wear commensurate with age).
Th...
Category
1910s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Enamel
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
Antique Russian Leather Band Barber Razor Strop
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Vintage Barber Leather Band Razor Sharpening Strop Russian
Stamped Phillips Detroit Michigan
24 long x 2.5 w x .38
Preowned original v...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Leather
Early 20th Century English Postal Scale
Located in Atlanta, GA
This finely crafted Early 20th Century English postal scale is a striking example of the functional yet elegant design typical of the period. The scale is mounted on a polished woode...
Category
Early 20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Stick Barometer by Loftus, London, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A late 19th century rosewood stick barometer by Loftus of London.
3 ¼ inches wide by 36 inches tall; 3 inches deep
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rosewood
Victorian Aneriod Wall Barometer
Located in Norwich, GB
Victorian Aneriod Barometer with gilded and chased outer casing mounted on a mahogany board.
Beautifully engraved silvered dial with seven weather indications, the scale reading f...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Refractor Polarimeter Physic Measuring Instrument Made by Steindorff & Co 1920s
Located in Milan, IT
Refractor polarimeter made of painted brass with cast iron tripod base by Steindorff & Co. Berlin D.R.P. Germany, 1920s. It is an antique instrument used to determine the concentrati...
Category
1920s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Early 19th Century Gilt Barometer
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French early 19th century gilt barometer.
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Rare Antique English Mammoth Map or Library Magnifying Glass, circa 1930
Located in Bath, GB
Wow, you need to hands to lift this mammoth magnifying glass, a great look for the library and a real talking point.
The handle is made from cast brass and the frame for the glass...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$1,825 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Book Press with 4 Drawer Stone Top Flat Art File Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A working antique iron book press which sits atop a four drawer art storage cabinet with two brass identification card holders on each drawer. ...
Category
19th Century Rustic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Brass, Iron
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
Antique Rolling Ruler, English Cartographer’s Instrument, Architect, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine antique cased rolling ruler. An English brass cartographer's or architect's instrument, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. A superb example of precision engin...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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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Large Abacus
Large Brass Telescope
Marine Barometer
Plate Camera
Pocket Compass
Used Stanley Tools
Vintage Beakers
W And T Avery Scales Antique
Wooden Instrument Case
16th Century Bronze Mortar
19Th Century Antique Cameras
3 Draw Brass Telescope
Anatomical Wax
Antique Brass Ruler
Antique Brass Scoop
Antique Brass Sundials
Antique Magnetic Compass
Antique Monocular