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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1930s
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
Large Antique Officer of the Watch Telescope, English, Negretti and Zambra, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique 'officer of the watch' telescope. An English, single draw refractor for terrestrial or astronomical use by Negretti and Zambra of London, dating to the late V...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Inlaid Mahogany Barometer, with Silvered Dial, Signed Vecchio & Co
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century inlaid mahogany barometer, with 8" silvered dial, signed Vecchio & Co, Shaftsbury, and red alcohol thermometer.
Thermometer scale in degrees Fahrenheit, and ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
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
Late 19th century Wooden and Brass Polarimeter Antique Physic Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden and brass polarimeter with cast iron tripod base from the late 1800s. It is an instrument used to determine the concentration of sucrose and glucose in raw materials and sugar...
Category
1890s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Davis of London, Victorian, 1860
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3 draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor by Davis of London, dating to the mid Victorian period, cir...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany banjo barometer having a quality mahogany shaped case with a swan neck pediment and satinwood stringing, circular silvered engraved dial with orig...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
End 19th Century Antique Magnetic Topographic Compass Made in Brass and Oak
Located in Milan, IT
Magnetic topographic compass, of oak and brass; instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane, marking with the tip of the needle the direction of magnetic north, compass card with eight winds complete with goniometric circle divided into 360 °, complete with the compass needle lock. Italian manufacture of the late 19th century. Very good condition. Measure 3.1x3.1 height 1.
Shipping is insured by Lloyd's London; our gift box is free (look at the last picture).
The invention of the compass is mysterious but it is well known that magnetite was discovered in Magnesia, a city of Asia Minor. We can find the first indications about the use in Europe of the magnetic force for orientation at the end of the XII century...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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
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
Antique 19th Century English Market Scales by JH PIPER of Wolverhampton
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique 19th century Victorian period market scale by J.H. Piper & Co. of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England, UK. Cast iron base, bowl rest, interio...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass, Iron
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany banjo barometer having a quality mahogany shaped case with a swan neck pediment and satinwood stringing, circular silvered engraved dial with orig...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Set of six small herbalist apothecary wooden jars (Altea flowers, Aloe leaves, Erica flowers), in the purest Neoclassical style. The surface is finished wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Wood and Brass English Spirit Level, 1860s Antique Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Large spirit level made of wood, brass and glass manufactured in the second half of the nineteenth century. Excellent condition fully functional. Measures: Length 35.5 cm, width 4 cm...
Category
1860s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Fine display ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
‘Royal’ Barometer by John Russell, Watchmaker to the Prince Regent
By John Russell
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This superbly crafted wheel barometer and thermometer has a mahogany case surrounded by twisted brass stringing and central panels of foliate tendrils above Russell’s signature thistle motif in black and gilt verre églomisé. It is surmounted by a brass Prince of Wales feather finial. The long, rectangular thermometer plate is inscribed ‘Thermometers: Beaumar, Fahrenheit, Royal Society of London’, the latter being an early attempt to standardise temperature measurement. The circular dial is inscribed ‘Changeable, Fair, Settled Fair, Much Rain’ and ‘Rain’ and signed across the centre ‘J Russell, Falkirk, Invt et Fecit, Watch Maker to his R.H the Prince Regent’. The reverse has a paper label ‘Russell, Iden Collection Inventory 1896’. Scottish, circa 1815.
Provenance: Mr Walter Iden.
Published: Percy G. Dawson, The Iden Clock Collection, Woodbridge, 1987. No.125, p.280.
These ‘royal barometers’ were so named because John Russell of Falkirk...
Category
1810s Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
Anatomicalal Model of the Section of the Head, Italy 1870
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical model of the section of the head, cast out of plaster, signed “ K.K.S.T.G.S.C.H Innsnsbruck, in a very good condition and with original patina. Anatomical study purpose...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
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
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
Set of 2 Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy, circa 1850
Located in Milan, IT
Set of 2 small wooden herbalist-apothecary jars (Natriam, Arnica), in the purest neoclassical style. The surface is finished with black and gold colored pads a cream background in th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Coral
End 19th Century Ophthalmic Steel Surgery kitJ. Weiss & Son and Dixey England
Located in Milan, IT
Ophthalmic steel surgery kit, signed J. Weiss & Son Ltd London and Dixey England, made in the end of XIX century circa, placed in its original wooden box covered with leather, red ve...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
French 19th Century Barometer
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th painted and gold gilt barometer and thermometer. It is a recognizable ‘banjo’ shaped scientific instrument with all the carved details in gold ...
Category
19th Century French Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Paint, Giltwood, Wood
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze & Boulle Barometer & Thermometer Gervais Durand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Pair of fine Antique Gilt Bronze Mounted Tortoiseshell Inlaid Ebonized Boulle Marquetry Instruments by Gervais-Maximilien-Eugene Durand. Originals featuring exquisite bronz...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Ornate 19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett & Son, Bristol.
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Ornate 19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett & Son, Bristol.
This is a very ornate set of Scales in cast iron they would have been used for weighing sacks of many agr...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Danish 19th Century Brass Surveying or Level Tool on Tripod
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Surveyors tripod level tool from the late 19th century. The tripod is made of wood and the level is brass. The wood tripod is 39.75in high.
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Master Craftsman's Spirit Level, English, Brass, Desk, Victorian, 1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This an antique master craftsman's spirit level. An English, rosewood and brass ornamental desk tool, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Bow-Front Marine Barometer by John Dollond
By Dollond, London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A bow-front marine barometer by John Dollond It is of slender cylindrical form with a silvered register plate enclosed by a hinged thermometer flap an...
Category
1820s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Paper Mâché Mussel or Clam Anatomy Model by Louis Auzoux
Located in Haarlem, NL
This papier mâché or papier-mâché model on wood of a clam is made in France by the Dr. Louis Auzoux workshop.
The people from Dr. Auzoux's workshop in Paris were the best and most f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Charming Vintage Gentleman's Library Telescope
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage gentleman's library telescope
Not sure exactly of it's age. Estimated Mid Victorian Period ( 1860-1880). Uncertain to maker and origin.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Exclusive Antique Armillary Sphere
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky consisting of a spherical framework of rings, centred on the Earth or the Sun, that represent lin...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1930s Educational Model Papier Maché and Plaster Decipting a Baby Borning
Located in Milan, IT
Educational model, papier maché and plaster, decipting a baby borning. 1930s-1940s, sold by the Hygiene Museum in Dresden. Very good condition. Measu...
Category
1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Wunderkammer Geometrical Model, Germany, 1880
Located in Milan, IT
Geometrical model. Fruitwood base is black stained (ebanized wood), over it, a sphere created by geometrical oakwood elements. Overall, another smal...
Category
1880s German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rope, Ebony, Oak
Oak Cased Stick Barometer and Thermometer
Located in Cheshire, GB
Late 19th century oak cased stick barometer and thermometer by J Hicks of London with engraved scales contained in oak case having shaped and moulded p...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Set of Three Rustic Wooden Spools of Thread, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rustic Wooden Spools of Thread, by unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1930.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pre...
Category
1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Galvanometer Antique Measuring Instrument Used for Telegraph Cables 1850 circa
Located in Milan, IT
Vertical mirror galvanometer made in 1850 circa, oak and glass, three adjustable screws at the base. Tool constituted by a magnet bar movable inside a coil and connected to a needle. In the absence of current the needle is positioned vertically while when the coil is crossed by the current it creates a magnetic field that moves the needle. This type of galvanometer was used for measurement of insulation of telegraph cables...
Category
1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Automata, Italy, 1850
Located in Milan, IT
The automata is house shaped. The front part shows a clock, A semi circular window as a door. The top flue of the fire place is the place where drop the weigh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Tin
19th Century Grand Tour Antique Handmade Bronze Mortar with Pestle
Located in Roma, IT
19th-century grand tour antique handmade bronze mortar with pestle. This fantastic piece has an original patina.
The pestle is 9.05 inc high wit...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Grand Tour Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Brain Antique Anatomical Plate by Lehrmittelverlag Hageman Düsseldorf 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical didactic plate of the 1930s on canvas paper depicting the brain, the spinal column and the sense organs, mounted on two black painted wooden sticks. Signed Lehrmittelverla...
Category
1930s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Terrestrial Refractor, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3 draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Perfec...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Clitograph level by Jules Lefebvre, Paris
Located in London, GB
Clitograph level by Jules Lefebvre, Paris, France, circa 1870.
Rare tripod mounted model. With original tripod and case.
Steel frame marked: NIVEA...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
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
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
19th c. Optometrist Eye Testing Kit c.1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original Victorian optometrist eye testing kit. The interior of the kit is lined in velvet with the name and number of the lenses. The optical tes...
Category
19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
19th Century French Bronze and Cloisonne Wall Barometer and Letter Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Accessorize an office or study with this elegant antique barometer. Crafted in France circa 1850, the scientific instrument with hunt motifs throughout, features deer, bird and a let...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Bronze
Antique Officer of the Watch Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Astronomical, Ross
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique officer of the watch telescope. An English, leather and nickel silver single draw refractor for terrestrial or astronomical use, by Ross of London, circa 1920.
...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Leather
Hughes Telegraph Set Built by Siemens & Halske 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Hughes typewriting telegraph .A Printing Telegraph Set built by Siemens & Halske .This teletyper was invented by David Edward Hughes in 1856.Good condicion overall.Similar telegraph ...
Category
19th Century German Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Set of 3 (of nine) big herbalist apothecary wooden jars (mint leaves, verbena flowers, viola flowers), in the purest Neoclassical style. The surface is fin...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
UK 1870 Brass Topographic Level, Antique Surveyor Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Telescope topographic level of brass, it is an instrument consisting of a telescope fixed parallel to the level, three-spoke base with adjustment screws. English manufacture from the...
Category
1860s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Equal Arm Brass Scale with Weights
Located in Houston, TX
This equal arm brass scale is set on a wooden platform with brass weights. The wooden platform has circular cutouts for the weights This piece is functional and beautifully. The wood...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1805 Milan Brass Topographic Level signed Pasquale Cittelli with its Walnut Box
Located in Milan, IT
Topographic level with telescope or simple theodolite of brass with original patina, signed Pasquale Cittelli Milan n. 353, first decade of the 19th century, in good condition and co...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1870s Vintage Mahogany Barometer Signed Verga Weather Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian antique barometer, complete with thermometer, made of mahogany wood with threads and decorations in other essences, English manufacture, signed Verga Macclesfield of the mid-19th century.
Very good state in perfect working order.
Height 100 cm - 39.37 inches, width 26 cm - 10.23 inches, depth 6 cm - 2.36 inches.
When it was discovered, that changes of atmospheric pressure are connected to changes of weather, barometers became very popular.
For safety during transport the barometer will be shipped emptied of mercury. The mercury will be placed in a sealed container in the package together with the barometer.
Evangelista Torricelli...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Print of a Nilometer, a Structure Used to Calculate Taxes in Egypt, 1802
Located in Langweer, NL
How high is the water, mama?
Johny Cash was asking his mother, when it is was '6 feet high and rising'. In Egypt it would probably mean that taxes that year would be low.
In Egypt it all depended on the behavior of the Nile and a Priest, who would monitor the so-called Nilometer.
A nilometer was a structure for measuring the Nile River's clarity and water level during the annual flood season. If the water level was low, there would be less food. If it was too high, it would be destructive. There was a specific mark that indicated how high the flood should be if the fields were to get good soil. Their predictions would determine how much money...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Antique Decorative Butcher's Steelyard, English, Iron, Weighing Instrument, 1800
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique decorative butcher's steelyard. An English, cast iron weighing instrument, dating to the late 18th century, circa 1800.
Decorative hanging piece with countrysid...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Ornamental Turning Lathe, No. 1906 by Holtzapffel & Co
Located in New Orleans, LA
An essential tool in the creation and finishing of furniture, this 19th-century English ornamental lathe is an object of beauty in and of itself. The extraordinary machine...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, 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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