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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Period: 19th Century
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
Early 19th Century Watkins and Hill Model Beam Engine
By Watkins & Hill
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A rare early 19th century demonstration model of a steam driven beam engine made by Watkins and Hill, London standing on a mahogany and ebony stung base
A similar example can be ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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 French Painted Iron and Brass Paris Crest Scale with Set of Weights
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your kitchen counter with this elegant, colorful antique scale. Crafted in Versailles, France circa 1880, the scientific instrument is uniquely decorated with a Paris coat o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
Late 19th Century Wooden Viennese Pharmacy Containers in the Set of 22 Pieces
Located in Vienna, AT
Wooden Viennese pharmacy containers of the late 19th century, in a set of 22 pieces.
The containers with lids are made of boxwood and printed with the names of various spices in ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Boxwood
London Mid-19th Century Vanity Kit Set Sterling Silver
Located in Brescia, IT
Not easy to find this original box, with this kit set composed of 8 pieces for nail manicure. A piece to collect or to add in a wunderkammer.
In sterling silver, all marked.
With ce...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Fassamano French Tortoise antique Eyeglasses second half 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Fassamano (from the French face-a-main) eyeglasses with handle that turns into a case shaped like the lenses; dark tortoise eyeglasses, oval lenses...
Category
1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
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
19th Century Feench Barometer Antique Scientific Instrument Weather Misure
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden barometer with cedar wood trim at the edges, signed Caux Opticien Rue Rivoli près du Louvre Paris, mid-19th century; dial with the meteorological indications on paper printed ...
Category
1850s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Lovely Victorian Boy Chasing a Cat Met Aneroid Barometer Painted Cast Iron
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Victorian boy chasing a cat cast iron aneroid barometer
Dimensions:
Height 27cm
Width 23cm
Depth 9.5c...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Antique Officer of the Watch Telescope, English, After Dollond, Victorian, 1890
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 in the manner of Dollond of London, dating to the late...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition
National Geographic
This is a beautiful large library or hardcover coffee table book.
Title: National Geographic Atlas of th...
Category
Early 2000s Maltese Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
19th Century English Cased Drawing Set Length of Longest Tool
Located in Buchanan, MI
An 19th century English cased drawing set length of longest tool. Measures: 6 1/4 inches.
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Culinary Scale from Lyon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large kitchen / culinary scale made in Lyon, France, circa 1880. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and product...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
Folding Boxwood & Brass Shoe Size Measure, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century folding cobbler's boxwood and brass shoe size measure, for the French market.
With folding heel rest and slinging toe marker, with brass hinge.
Paris point shoe...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Boxwood
19th Century Wooden Barometer Signed Burlinson Ripon Antique Instrument Weather
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden barometer signed Burlinson Ripon made in the mid 19th century. Silver-plated brass dial engraved with weather indications and the name of the m...
Category
1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Richter's Anchor Box, German, Stone, Anker Baukasten, Number 15, Set
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Richter's Anchor Box. A German, stone Anker Baukasten No. 15 or construction set, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1890.
Highly collectible German construction set from Friedrich Richter
Displays a desirable aged patina — lovingly play worn
Sought after stone pieces, with few, minor chips to corners
Aged box with fine paper lithography to both sides
This 'grosse kaliber' set comprises 296 pieces at 25mm scale
Pieces imitate the red brick, limestone and blue slate of contemporary European architecture
Create a wide range of architectural styles including Baroque influenced buildings
Several instruction manuals included to help create fantastic scenes
This is a wonderful, lovingly played with antique Richter's Anchor Box. In sought after stone, this number 15...
Category
Late 19th Century Albanian Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Cast Stone
Antique Victorian Carved Oak Banjo Barometer by Maple & Co
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique Victorian banjo barometer in carved solid oak. This was made in London by Maple and Co, it dates from around the 1860-1880 period.
It is of amazing quality, beau...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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
Copper Alloy Weights Marc System
Located in Leuven , BE
Copper alloy weights Marc system.
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Antique Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument Case, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument case, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Offering su...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Patinated Copper Rooster Weather Vane with Cardinal Points
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique weather vane was created in Normandy, France, circa 1860. The traditional copper sculpture features a classic swivel French c...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Country Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Kingwood and Ormolu Barometer/Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. kingwood and ormolu barometer/thermometer, signed F. Linke. The barometer is centered by a fine richly chased f...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ormolu
Oversize Scale, Italy, 1850
Located in Milan, IT
Over a square wooden base weighted with lead with brass plaque and connecting element rise the tall wooden central part, made out of wood, with moved profile and black lacquered. Ove...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
18-inch Globe, Cary's, London, 1840
By Cary’s
Located in Milano, IT
John and William Cary
Updated by George and John Cary
Terrestrial Globe
London, 1840
lb 22 (kg 10)
Slight surface abrasions due to use. A small crack on the horizon circle.
The globe rests in its original Dutch style stand with four supporting turned wood columns.
It measures 26 in in height x 23.6 in in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 18 in; 66 cm in height x 60 cm in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 45.72 cm.
The 18 inch...
Category
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
Recording Dial Clock by the International Time Recording Company
Located in Peekskill, NY
A Recording dial clock by the International Time Recording Company, Endicott, New York. In the original oak case and (the first we have ever seen) original table stand. The dial measures 30" diameter. Hight on the table is 71". When plugged in the interior light comes on and the clock motor hums.
Note: From the American History Museum website: "at the end of the 1800s, early 1900s the industrial revolution was taking place and large numbers of people were taking jobs in the cities. Being punctual was the expected behavior as "time is money" attitude prevailed. Also, recording and scrutinizing expenses for labor, materials and overhead were getting more attention than ever before. By the early twentieth century the International Time Recording Company supplied an entire line of timekeeping devices, including master clocks, several types of time clocks, and time stamps. Founded in 1900, the firm continuously expanded its product line, underwent several reorganizations and name changes, and emerged in 1924 as the International Business Machine Corporation, familiar today as IBM. One of the firm's most popular products was the dial time recorder...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
1870s Genitourinary Instruments of Bougies Oak Box Antique Medical Device
Located in Milan, IT
Set of genitourinary instruments of Bougies, medical instruments placed in a box made of oak, made second half of the nineteenth century. Box measures 5.5x14.1x2.4 inches. On the low...
Category
1870s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Mahogany Barometer with Thermometer by "L'Ingenieur Chevallier"
By Jean Gabriel Augustin Chevallier
Located in Pembroke, MA
Impressive French mahogany barometer and thermometer from the Louis-Philippe period (Circa 1840), by Jean Gabriel Augustin Chevalliier. The barometer features an indicator arrow adju...
Category
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Decorated Cast Iron Scale for Babies Antique Measuring Instrument 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Scales for babies made of cast iron with depictions of flowers. The scale is equipped with a double scale: on one side from 0 to 15kg, on the other side f...
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Exquisite Boat Binnacle with Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass yacht compass fitted to a very fine varnished binnacle box with brass hinges and glass door. Also fitted with a varnished brass sidelight wit...
Category
1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Japanese Iron Mortar Yagen Grinder Crushing Tool
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Old Japanese iron boat shaped mortar or grinder crushing tool (called Yagen)
Tool used to grind medicine
21.5 W x 7H x 5.5 W disk 12.5 W x 9 in diameter
Unrestored worn aged vintag...
Category
1890s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut and Brass Scale with Set of Weights
Located in Dallas, TX
This Classic, antique scale with original plates was created in Dijon France, circa 1870. Rectangular in shape, the fruit wood scale embellished with marquetry fillet decor, features the original removable brass plateaus...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Yacht Or Boat Binnacle Compass by Polaris
By Polaris
Located in Norwell, MA
Boat compass in binnacle with hinged lid, sidelight, brass hook, etc. Very fine condition. Gimballed compass is by Polaris. Great piece.
Overall dimensions: 11"H x 7"D x 8"L. 5 po...
Category
1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Surgical Instruments Set, Signed Galante, Paris, 1870
Located in Milan, IT
An oak wood case with a complete surgery set of 8 surgical instruments made on steel, with black horn handles and rosewood, signed H. Galante & fi...
Category
1870s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Fassamano Tortoise Antique Eyeglasses French Manufacture XIX century
Located in Milan, IT
Double fassamano eyeglasses (from the French face-en-main), made with a double articulated eyewear, one with lenses and one without, mounted on the upper part, signed Lugene, made of...
Category
1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
XIX Century English Apothecary Set Cabinet Medicines & Perfumery J Hexam Chymist
Located in Milan, IT
English apothecary cabinet dated to the first half of the nineteenth century, mahogany box, brass handle and hinges and complete with key. The cabinet with a rectangular base is form...
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An antique French counter or grocer scale in ebonized hardwood and mahogany inlay with white marble top, circa 1880. The scale is made of hardwo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Copper
Antique Pluviometer, English, Udometer, Ombrometer, Rain Recorder, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pluviometer. An English, copper udometer, ombrometer or rain recorder, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
Fasc...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Fassamano French Tortoise Antique Eyeglasses Second Half 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Fassamano (from the French face-a-main) eyeglasses with handle that turns into a case shaped like the lenses; dark tortoise eyeglasses, oval lenses...
Category
1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
Antique English Wood and Brass Postal Scale
Located in Port Chester, NY
A small antique brass and wood postal scale. It stands on an oak base with serpentine edge with attractive bun feet. There are 6 weights which measure 16 oz, 8 oz, 4 oz 2 oz, 1 oz, 1...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Rosewood Watch Holder, Small Pocket Watch Stand with Applied Decoration
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Rosewood watch holder.
Small pocket watch stand with applied decoration. A must have item for those who have a pocket watch. Not only is the pocke...
Category
1840s English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Early Nineteenth Century French Thuya Wood Thermometer
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Thuya wood thermometer, with brass plate inscribed with 'Thermometre par Mouyer Nancy’. The thermometer tube is sat behind a br...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Other
Antique Watchmaker's Lathe, Swiss, Brass, Copper Precision Instrument circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fantastic antique watchmaker's lathe. A Swiss, quality brass, copper and stainless steel precision instrument, dating to the late 19th century, circa 1900.
An exquisite and rare antique lathe...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1870 Antique Burnished Brass W F Stanley Level Surveyor Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Topographic level signed W.F Stanley of burnished brass, from the second half of the 19th century. In excellent condition and complete with original mahogany box with brass hinges an...
Category
1870s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Barometer Regulates and Base in Semi-Precious Stone Representing a Cello Player
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Barometer regulates and base in semi-precious stone representing a Cello player in antique.
Measures: H 20cm, W 10cm.
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Kent's Knife Cleaning, Polishing & Sharpening Wheel with Original Labels
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Victorian knife cleaning and sharpening machine was made by Kent's of London England in circa 1880 in the period Victorian style. The machine is composed of two sharpening stones...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Metal
19th Century French Polished Iron Scale with Brass Trays from Lyon
Located in Dallas, TX
Add some European flair to your kitchen counter with this elegant antique scale. Crafted in France circa 1870 and rectangular in shape, the iron scale features the original pair of polished brass...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Brass Balance Shop Scales with Eagle Crest
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Brass balance shop scales with eagle crest
Decorative large brass balance shop scales
I super looking set, the slightly dished pans are hung on brass...
Category
Late 19th Century Industrial 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
Dairy Balance Scales by Parnall of Bristol
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Dairy balance scales by Parnall of Bristol
Superb large brass and iron dairy balance scales by Parnall of Bristol
This very large and attractive beam balance scale is set on a cast Iron base the central upright column is in brass and it is topped with a very decorative wrought iron finial...
Category
1880s Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Swiss Hand Carved Black Forest Figure of a Fox with Thermometer, circa 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Swiss hand-carved Black Forest figure of a fox with thermometer, Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1880 in linden wood, with the original antique thermometer...
Category
1880s Swiss Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Architecture Game Constructions Germany Dr. Richter Rudolstadt
Located in Milan, IT
Architecture game constructions with 56 colored stones inside a wooden box made in the laboratory of Dr. Richter Rudolstadt Thüringe in the late nineteenth century. The box is comple...
Category
1880s German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone
1893 Antique Lippich Brass Polarimeter Antique Physic Analysis Instrument
By Societé Genevoise
Located in Milan, IT
Lippich polarimeter, scientifi instrument made in 1893 signed Societé Genevoise Genève, brass and black metal. It is an optical instrument of analysis used to determine the concentra...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Globe by Renowned Cartographers John Newton and Son
Located in Southall, GB
An extremely rare and important 21 inch English globe by renowned cartographers John Newton and Son, one of the most important globe makers of early 19th century England. Representin...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Working English Cast Iron Cheese Press Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A rare antique and all original fully functioning cast iron English cheese press, by Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury, circa 1880. This cheese press has just ...
Category
1880s English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
1880s Iron And Brass Balancing Scale
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1880s iron and brass balancing scale.
Category
1880s 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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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