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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
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
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
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
Tripod Apothecary Skillet from the 18th Century England
Located in Brussels, Brussels
18th Century tripod Apothecary skillet From England.
The skillet is in superb condition and has not undergone any restorations.
Bronze with a very beautiful patina.
Category
Early 18th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
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
American Polished Steel Sky Light Binnacle with Rope Carved Base, Phil. C. 1880
By Hands & Sons
Located in Hollywood, SC
American polished steel sky light binnacle with rope carved base, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Norfolk VA. Late 19th century. Binnacle has been electrified fo...
Category
1880s American American Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel, Brass
17th Century Tripod Apothecary Skillet Dated 1698 from The Ward Rvmens Family
Located in Brussels, Brussels
17th century tripod apothecary skillet dated 1698 by Ward Rymens.
The skillet is in superb condition and has had a restoration on one of the feet.
bronze with a very beautiful patina.
Category
17th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by German Beringer
Located in Milan, IT
Antique 18th Century Diptych Sundial and Compass a portable wooden boxwood sundial with compass, of German origin, by David Beringer, Nuremberg, dating back to the 1790 circa, in good age related condition, with signs of wear consistent with age and use.
David Beringer (1756 – 1821) was a German scientific instrument maker and craftsman active in Nuremberg and famous for his cubic wooden sundials visible in Metropolitan Museum of Art di New York.
A portable sundial...
Category
Late 18th Century German 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
American Victorian Walnut Cased Standing Magnifying Glass
Located in Hudson, NY
This large American Victorian standing magnifying glass is encased in a carved and turned walnut frame and is adjustable to height with a wooden screw set device. Made circa 1880 the...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Walnut
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
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
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
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
Anatomical Skin Model, Italy, 1880
Located in Milan, IT
The anatomical sculpture, cast out of plaster, depicts a flayed man standing over a rectangular base in a classical pose with lifted arm. Anatomical study p...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
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 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 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
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
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
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
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
Wilson Chilton’s mahogany Naval Architects/draughtsman box of curves/templates
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Wilson Chilton’s mahogany Naval Architects/Naval draughtsman box of curves and templates, probably by Gillows still retaining around 100 superb quality...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Almirez De Bronce Del S XIX Con Asas Y Decoraciones E Inscripción De Letras
Located in Marbella, ES
Almirez de bronce del S XIX con asas y decoraciones e inscripción de letras
El palo mide 17cm.
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Ring Dial by Gilbert, London
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A good example of a 18th century brass ring dial by John Gilbert, London.
The well engraved 6" dial is complete with sliding suspension ring and peep hole sight moving over calendar and zodiac signs.
John Gilbert was a mathematical instrument maker at Tower Hill...
Category
18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Large Weight Scale 1715
Located in Milan, IT
Standing at nearly 51 inches in height, this large Italian scale from the 18th century features its original copper pans and crosspiece stamped by the I...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper, Iron
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
Mid Nineteenth Century Ships Octant
Located in Norwell, MA
Navigators octant with ebony frame, brass arm, filters and peep sight. Bone Vernier scale. Kidney shaped box. Split to box. Circa 1860. This is a good genuine example of an early American marine...
Category
1860s European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Apothecary Traveling Set, England 1790
Located in Milan, IT
Mahogany and brass box, with a drawer in the front. The upper part opens and inside a group of glass bottles ( some with labels), placed in comp...
Category
Late 18th Century British 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 British Medical Sterilizer with Original Burner, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique British medical sterilizer with original burner, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
Regency Lane’s Pocket Globe, Dated 1818
By Lane's
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A 3 ½ inch Regency Lane’s pocket globe, dated 1818, the terrestrial globe with the seas in light green and the land masses outlined in darker green, contained within a hinged black shagreen case, the concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Ventilatore Marelli, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
L'azienda nasce nel 1891 a Milano come ditta individuale per iniziativa di Ercole Marelli, operaio in gioventù alla Tecnomasio Italiana di Milano. Inizialmente l'azienda produceva di...
Category
1650s Italian Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Sundial with Compass and Case, Bronze, Bion, Nicholas, Paris, 18th Century
By Nicholas Bion
Located in Madrid, ES
Sundial with compass and case. Bronze. BION, Nicholas. Paris, 18th century.
Polygonal sundial with a bird-shaped gnomon and engraved triangular piece, which presents, on one side, ...
Category
18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Other
Engine Order Telegraph in the Chadburns Style, England Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Large and exceptional solid bronze ships engine order telegraph Made in the Chadburns style, with orders in french. The bells ring but the mechanism needs to be revised.
Shipping:
...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Anatomical Model: a Jaw with Teeth, Italy, 1880
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class depicting a jaw with a teeth, made out of painted papier machè mounted on round black wooden base. Italy 1880 ca.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Fruitwood, Paper
18th Century English Mahogany Cased Stick Barometer by Dolland of London
By Dolland
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional late 18th century mahogany cased stick barometer by Dolland of London, The mahogany case of a very solid construction and with a superbly made turned mahogany cistern ...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
19th Century German Brass “Magic Lantern” Image Projector
Located in Middleburg, VA
Magic lanterns are early types of image projectors (17th-19th century) that used paintings, prints, or photos on glass plates, one or more lenses and a light sources to entertain or educate its users. This 19th century "magic" oil lamp light projector...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Wax Anatomic Model Depicting an Human Organ Thyroid, Germany 1780
Located in Milan, IT
Colored wax anatomic model depicting a human organ: Thyroid mounted on black painted wooden base. Germany end of XVIII sec.
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19th C Anatomical Didactic Model of a Torso with Removable Organs
Located in Leuven , BE
The German sculpture Franz Josef Steger (1845-1938), under the guidance of Professor Wilhelm His (1831-1904) and based on the designs of anatomist Car...
Category
19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Antique Original Engraving of Seasons by Le Bas, C.1780
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique astronomy print titled 'L'inégalité des Saisons et des Jours'. Interesting print explaining why there is an inequality in the length of days and seasons. Source unknown, to b...
Category
18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
19th Century English Chrome Plated Brass Cross-Legged Reduction Compass
Located in Milan, IT
Cross-legged reduction compass, of chrome plated brass and steel, English manufacture from the end of the 19th century.
Fixed or mobile center, whose opposite points form simple re...
Category
1890s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Anatomical Model for Class: an Heart, France 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical removable model for school of a heart made out of painted papier mache’ mounted on an ebony wooden base. France, circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
George III Pocket Globe After Herman Moll
By Herman Moll
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A 3 inch George III pocket globe after Herman Moll, the terrestrial globe inscribed in a cartouche ‘A correct globe with the new discoveries’ and fitted within a hinged black shagreen case, the concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts...
Category
1770s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique French Barometer with Original Mercury Mechanism, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
A very fine and palatial French 19th Louis XV style green painted with polychrome flower decor and gilt bronze-mounted barometer in the manner of La Maison Cam Opticien. Surmounted w...
Category
1860s French Rococo Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
19th Century English Victorian Brass Merchants Scale
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian brass merchants scale with square glass tray, round brass tray, and inset oval mirror.
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian 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
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
Anatomical Model Depicting a Stomach, Italy 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class, depicting a man’s stomach, made out of plaster and painted papier maché. Italy 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Anatomical Model Depicting an Intestine, Italy 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class, depicting a man’s intestine, made out of painted papier maché. Italy 1890 ca.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1820s George III Mahogany Barometer
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1816-1829 barometer by Cetti & Co, 25 Red Lion St., Holburn, London. Mahogany with conch shell & rosette inlays. George III period. Not currently working. The original finial is fire...
Category
1820s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Gilt Brass Spy Glass Telescope
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine example of a early 19th century pocket spy glass telescope signed by Ebsworth, London.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Sundial and Compass with Case, Schrettegger, Johan, Augsburg, Germany, Ca 1800
Located in Madrid, ES
Sundial and compass with case. Bronze. SCHRETTEGGER, Johan. Augsburg, Germany, around 1800.
Sundial with a polygonal shape made of bronze, engraved with plant elements on the front,...
Category
Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Other
Travel Aphotecary, England, 1880
Located in Milan, IT
Small travel aphotecary with oak wooden case, glass bottles and bone little spoon. England 1880 ca.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bone, Glass, Oak
American Terrestrial Globe on Gilt Tripod Stand, Gilman Joslin, Boston C. 1850
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Terrestrial Brass Meridian Globe mounted on a turned bulbous gilt ringed and red stenciled tripod stand, Gilman Joslin, Boston. Mid 19th Century
Globe is 39" Tall / 16" Diam...
Category
1850s American American Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Period late 18th century giltwood barometer. Original gilding. Carved overall with globe, and navigation instruments. Foliate and neoclassical motifs. Maker signed.
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
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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