Scientific Instruments
6
730
to
58
453
264
730
730
730
112
47
36
27
15
15
7
7
6
4
4
3
2
1
142
588
902
7
412
320
67
42
50
43
48
39
62
39
29
9
1
403
367
213
116
77
601
247
195
152
52
2
2
2
2
2
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
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
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
Mechanical Equatorial Sundial, Johann Michael Bergauer, Ante 1745
By Johann Michael Bergauer
Located in Milano, IT
Johann Michael Bergauer (Simonsfeld, 1676 - Innsbruck, 1745 circa)
Mechanical equatorial sundial
Signed: Michael Bergauer Insprugg? Innsbruck?
Ante 1745
Gilded and silvered brass; glass.
Measures: closed 1.29 x 3.50 x 4.92 in (33 x 89 x 125 mm); open 5.19 x 3.50 x 3.81 in (132 x 89 x 97 mm).
Weight: the sundial 0.49 lb (224 g); the case 0, 20 lb (95 g)
Original wooden case covered in brown leather.
State of conservation: very good. It has some signs of use. The spring that allowed for the two parts of the instrument to remain open is missing (absent even in the comparative specimens kept in museums).
The sundial is composed of two overlapping plates hinged together on the north edge.
The base plate is octagonal and is supported by three turned legs. The upper face is gilded and a compass with a magnetic variation index has been inserted. The rest of the surface is occupied by a rich decoration of engraved scrolls, centered around the inscription “Michael Bergauer Insprugg”. A foldable oval support with a plumb-bob is attached with a hinge on the southern edge. On the reverse of the base plate a table of the latitudes of some European cities (expanded with the vertical writing “Meiland 40” on the edge and “Rome” deleted) and of Jerusalem has been engraved. A Cam marked for 0 °-70 ° is applied near the northern edge. This can be adjusted to change the inclination of the upper plate according to the latitude; originally a spring, now lost, made it possible to keep the two plates of the clock open.
The second plate is round, has a toothed edge and measures 3.26 in (83 mm) in diameter: it is slightly smaller than the octagonal base which it rests upon and overlaps when the instrument is closed.
The recto is gilded and there are three concentric graduated circles engraved on it:
- the outermost is the equatorial hour dial, numbered I-XII, I-XII;
- the second-one is that of days 1-30 of the lunar month and has “Aetas lunae” engraved on it;
- the third, silvered, is a subsidiary hour dial, with double numbering 1-12; originally it could have been rotated.
The engravings of the first two circles are enameled in red.
In the center - on the polar axis - there is an alidade, at the end of which is associated the silvered minute dial. This, in turn, is welded, perpendicularly, to a small disc, also silvered, with a triangular gnomon. The plate, alidade and minute dial are connected to each other by toothed mechanisms.
Below is the procedure for measuring the time:
1) Adjust the Cam under the base of the clock, based on the latitude of your location;
2) Place the watch on a flat surface using the plumb-bob and with the side closest to the compass facing south;
3) Keeping the instrument still, manually rotate the alidade until the shadow cast by the triangular gnomon on the small silvered disc falls on the line marked below it;
4) The hour and minutes can therefore be read on the hour and minute dials set on the alidade respectively.
Johann Michael Bergauer, who sometimes only signs his works as Michael Bergauer, was born in Simonsfeld, north of Vienna. His apprenticeship as a watchmaker took place in Landshut and he probably worked as a laborer in Augsburg before becoming a watchmaker at the court of Karl Philipp von der Pfalz in Innsbruck in 1708. In the following years, his repeated attempts to obtain Innsbruck citizenship are documented and, in 1721, he is listed as a resident. In 1724 he was admitted to the guild of watchmakers, with which however he had continuous problems. In 1732 he presented a "masterpiece". This is the last reference to his business; he must have died before or in 1745 because in that year his widow appealed to the City Council.
The mechanical sundial...
Category
1730s Austrian Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
‘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
Victorian Brass Cased Aneroid Barometer by Stanley, London
By Stanley
Located in Norwich, GB
Victorian brass cased Aneroid barometer by Stanley, London.
Brass cased aneroid barometer housed in the original leather fitted case.
Silvered dial with original ‘blued’ st...
Category
1890s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
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
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
Victorian Marquetry Wall Barometer and Thermometer
Located in London, GB
Victorian marquetry wall barometer and thermometer.
English, 19th century
Measures: height 98cm, width 25cm, depth 7cm.
This elegant piece is a fin...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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 Parlor Kaleidoscope by C.G. Bush & Co. of Providence, RI
By Charles G. Bush & Co
Located in Nantucket, MA
C.G. Bush & Co. parlor kaleidoscope on a turned mahogany pedestal with splayed legs, the cylindrical body of black colored textured cardstock with ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Industrial Design Science Vintage Black Cast Iron Dentist Machine 19th Century
Located in Vienna, AT
19th Century Industrial design black cast iron dentist machine circa 1890 Austria.
Museums worthy best Industrial design dentist machine from black cast iron body and brass details ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron
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
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
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 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
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
Large copper & brass funnel
Located in London, GB
A large late 19th century copper and brass funnel.
From Wiltshire County, England.
Category
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
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
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany banjo barometer having a swan neck pediment, original thermometer and an engraved circular silvered dial with original hands and brass bezel, qual...
Category
1780s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Victorian, 1870
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3-draw telescope. An English, brass and leather terrestrial or astronomical refractor, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century British 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
Anatomic Model for Class, Depicting the Kidneys, Spain 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class, depicting the kidneys, made out of painted papier maché and mounted over a black painted wooden base. Spain circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
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
Fine Circular Protractor by William Cary, London c.1810
By Cary
Located in Norwich, GB
William Cary, London Circular Protractor. C.1810
The protractor with geared knob turn for full diameter bar, double hinged scribe arms with shaped frame. Main wheel with four spokes and glass sight cross centre, full circumference inscribed divider to 360 degrees signed Cary, London to the bar. Adjustment screws to the arms and housed in it’s original mahogany case with hinged lid.
William Cary is listed as working in Strand, London from 1801 to 1825.
William Cary was an important scientific instrument maker, he trained under Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800) he produced numerous scientific instruments including mechanical calculators...
Category
1810s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Super Rare 1880s Spoon Top Conformatore
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a wonderful example of 1800s inventiveness. We believe this is American made and ie signed and dated 1888. This is only the second example we have ever found. We will only se...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
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
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
Induction Coil or Sled Antique Scientific Instrument by Du Bois Reymond 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Induction coil by Du Bois Reymond, also known as Sled of the Du Bois Reymond system designed around 1870 during electrophysiology studies by Emil Du Boi...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Boxwood Tailor's and Dressmaker's Square by John T Johnson of Birmingham
Located in London, GB
A boxwood 24 x 18 inch tailor's and dressmaker's square, by John T Johnson of Birmingham, circa 1900.
Marked: JOHN T. JOHNSON - UNION PASSAGE. BIRMm.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Boxwood
Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Set of six small herbalist apothecary wooden jars (Ginko leaves, Thistle flowers, Myrtle berries), in the purest Neoclassical style. The surface is finish...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
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
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
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
Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Set of 3 (of nine) big herbalist apothecary wooden jars (garlic bulbs, hop flowers, ginger roots), in the purest Neoclassical style. The surface is finishe...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Set of 3 (of nine) big herbalist apothecary wooden jars (pine leaves, dill leaves, thyme leaves), in the purest Neoclassical style. The surface is finished...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Edwardian Cased Oak Barograph with Bevelled Glass Panels
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An Edwardian cased oak barograph with bevelled glass panels and a central chart drawer. Inscribed ‘Made by Short & Mason London, for A & N C S Westminster’.
A & N C S refers to the Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd., an army surplus...
Category
1870s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Oak
Louis XVI Period Giltwood Barometer
Located in Ross, CA
This beautifully carved Louis XVI barometer follows the designs of Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian physicist who was a student of Galileo and...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
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
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
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
19th Century Bronze Skeleton
Located in Atlanta, GA
A sensational 19th century skeleton in bronze originating from the Louvain University Of Medicine - Belgium. An excellent addition to any doctor...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Rare and Large Pair of Malby Globes in Fine Original Condition
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
The largest pair of 19th century table globes we have had , at 18' diameter for the globes this pair has ebonised stands. Good original lacquer and colour to the papers. Good makers ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
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
Antique English Georgian Fruitwood Inlaid Banjo Wheel Barometer Thermometer
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English George III fruitwood barometer featuring a banjo shape with open pediment and inliad satinwood sea shell and floral motif. Made by F. Peduze Co. Circa 1780s-1820s. Me...
Category
Late 18th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique 14K Gold Victorian Vintage Spectacles Lorgnette Eyeglasses with Handle
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Gorgeous Victorian old fashioned antique lorgnette with a refined design on the handle. The lens glass is in excellent shape and is framed by decorat...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
19th Century Antique Barometer
Located in Opole, PL
We present you this barometer with a thermometer in a wooden, decorative case made of walnut wood. The whole is date fourth quarter of the 19th century.
The barometer (aneroid) and ...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Antique Victorian Nautical Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer Pair
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian nautical gilt bronze clock and barometer pair
English, 19th Century
Measures: height 25 cm, width 22 cm, depth 13.5 cm
This elega...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Agate, Ormolu
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
Brass Surveyors Level by Troughton & Simms, London
By Troughton & Simms London
Located in Norwich, GB
Brass Surveyors Level by Troughton & Simms, London
Sixteen inch extending telescope with original lacquer finish and spirit level.
The compass ha...
Category
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 C. German Stag Horn Thermometer and Barometer
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A remarkable German Folk Art Weather Station in the Black Forest Style. Elaborate and sinuous construction with stag horns of various sizes, boar tusk...
Category
19th Century German Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Antler, Horn
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
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
French Late 19th Century Louis XVI St. Giltwood Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome and decorative French late 19th century Louis XVI st. giltwood barometer. Fine carvings of scrolls and foliate throughout with a lyre shape above the painted barometer...
Category
19th 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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Electronic Instruments
Surveyor Measure
Antique North Arrow
Antique Medical Models
George Cook
Antique Scientific Microscopes Microscope Scientific Instruments
Address Numbers
Wwii German Binoculars
Optician Sign
Stick Barometer
Folding Camera
Antique Stick Barometers
Vintage Glass Barometer
Vintage French Barometer
French Mercury Barometer
German Telescope
Antique Wooden Gears
Antique Wooden Gear