Scientific Instruments
7
663
to
55
388
261
663
663
663
113
31
27
19
15
8
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
142
593
899
7
414
317
70
41
49
43
44
40
61
39
28
9
1
389
314
215
105
71
510
216
161
132
47
5
3
3
2
2
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
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
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
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
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
Space Age Orange Vintage Television Ikaro by Minerva, 1970s, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age orange vintage television from plastic model Ikaro by Minerva, 1970s, Austria.
This portable television with an orange plastic casing by...
Category
1970s Austrian Space Age Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
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
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
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
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
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
Gimballed Brass Boat Compass by Dirigo
Located in Norwell, MA
Gimballed brass boat compass by "Dirigo" of Seattle, Washington. With fleur-de-lis pointing north. Fitted to a birch box with lid. Circa 1975.
Overall Dimensions: 5" H x 8" L x 8"...
Category
1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
Barometer Signed Jecker, Paris 1800
Located in Milan, IT
Mahogany wall barometer consisting of a glass tube containing mercury with its reserve.
On the top part a chevron shaped pediment and a screwed brass plate with a small alcohol ther...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Pen with Pearl
By Montblanc
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Rollerball pen with pearl.
Montblanc honors Greta Garbo in the form of another mystical writing i...
Category
Late 20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Resin
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
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
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 Barometer Altimeter, English, Explorer's Instrument, Hicks, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pocket barometer altimeter. An English, oak cased explorer's instrument by Hicks of London, dating to the late Victorian pe...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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
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
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
19th Century Victorian Scale Model Of A Gas Meter, Crystal Palace Expo, c.1851
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique mid-19th Century Victorian very rare cast iron scale model of the original meter used to measure the amount of gas used at the Crystal Palace, in Hyde Park during the Great E...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
Pike and Elliman English Brass Scale
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pike and Elliman brass shop scale, dating to the 1880's. Nice original condition. Class b to weigh up to 12oz. Stamped on brass tray pike & E 14 new, 32 Gi ...
Category
1880s English Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Smalll Victorian Monocular Field Microscope
Located in Norwich, GB
Small Victorian monocular field microscope
Brass framed monocular field microscope house in it’s original mahogany box with hinged brass carrying...
Category
1890s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Early 19th Century Gilt Barometer
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French early 19th century gilt barometer.
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Large Antique Shipwright's Set Square, English, Rosewood, Tool, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique shipwright's set square. An English, rosewood and brass right-angled tool, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880.
Quality, antique craftsman's tool
Displaying a desirable aged patina
Rosewood stock with brass capping
Square blade shows pleasing weathering commensurate with age
Attractive brass shield with pegged bonding to both sides
Engraved with the names Woates and A. Clarke
This is a fine, large antique set square...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Pair of Victorian Antique Brass Scales
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of Victorian antique brass scales standing on a mahogany base. A brass centre column having a shaped arm to the left holding a removable brass...
Category
19th Century English Victorian 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
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
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
American Mahogany Wood Antique Magnetic Binnacle Nautical Compass, circa 1896
Located in Milan, IT
Rare mahogany wood binnacle compass. Inside there is a liquid compass mounted on a universal joint signed D. Baker Melrose Mass Pat. 22 Sept 1896 and marketed by the Chas Company. C....
Category
1890s American 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
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
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
Salmoiraghi Antique Brass Tacheometer, Surveying Measuring Instrument, 1860
Located in Milan, IT
La Filotecnica Ing A. Salmoiraghi Milan Centesimal tacheometer 133 b normal N. 55858 Catasto Italiano model of the second half of the 19th century, of burnished brass, complete with ...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Mercury Barometer
Used Mercury Barometer
Antique Pocket Watch Collectibles
Weather Station
Antique Cameras Folding Cameras
Antique Folding Camera
Antique Mercury Barometer
Antique Victorian Barometer
Medical Office Furniture Used
Patent Model Antique
Antique Leather Machine
Antique Thermometer Signs
Compass In A Box
Folding Camera
Mid Century Barometer
Telescope London
Victorian Barometers
Wooden Instrument Case