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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: Early 1900s
Pair of Vintage Montblanc Meisterstruck & Starwalker Pens with Boxes & Papers
By Montblanc
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of vintage rollerball pens were made by the well known Montblanc factory of Germany in approximately 1990 in their classic modern style. theiThe black cased pen from this grouping is their "Meisterstruck" model with a clear tip on the cap, and a gold band around the center of the barrel with "MONTBLANC" and "MEISTERSTRUCK" in block letters. The other pen of this group with the brushed metal case is their "Starwalker" model. Both pens come with thier original fitted boxes, and we have one outer box and some paperwork. Both of these Montblanc rollerball pens...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stainless Steel
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early 20th century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted to its origina...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Wood and Brass Apothecary Scale, 1950s
Located in Felino, IT
Precision apothecary scale, 1940s-1950s. Wooden base with drawer, brass instruments. Original set of weights included. Functioning.
Category
1950s European Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Star Compass of Boston. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted t...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Fine Pair Golden Guilloche Enamel and Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses, c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Pretty as a picture and in outstanding condition, this lovely pair of early twentieth century opera glasses come complete with their original case (wear commensurate with age).
Th...
Category
1910s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This Classic marine i...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1980s Black Bang & Olufsen Beocom 2000 Phone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1986 by Lone and Gideon Lindinger-Lowy, the Bang & Olufsen Beocom 2000 telephone is Danish design at its finest, and the epitome of 1980s high-...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
1986 Enorme Telephone by Ettore Sottsass for Enorme
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly postmodern telephone designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of ...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Era Bludworth Marine Port Pilot Loop Nautical Radio Direction Finder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage nautical direction finder was made by Bludworth Marine Mfg. of the United States in approximately 1960 in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The case is composed of me...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine i...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic twentieth century boat compass by American maker Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Osterloh Botanic Model of a Wheat Flower, Germany, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
A botanic didactical specimen depicting a Wheat flower (Triticum durum), made out of papier mache wood and metal with black wooden base, hand painted. Extremely detailed. Osterloh Mo...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Oak Cased Barograph by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Negretti & Zambra
Fine Edwardian oak cased barograph with bevelled glass panels and central chart drawer.
Ten vacuum chambers linking ...
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
1950s Vintage Tricle Bakelite Olympic Tape Measure Peoples Republic of China
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Tricle Bakelite Olympic tape Measure Peoples Republic of China
Wonderful vintage tape measure has a cover made from dappled rich dar...
Category
1950s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Three-Dimensional Anatomical Midcentury Wall Plaster Sculpture, Germany, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury three-dimensional anatomical plaster painting representing human respiratory system, provenance Hygiene Museum Dresden with museum sticker ...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Modernist Atomic 1950s Television by Olympic, Tambour Doors "rocket tuner"
By Olympus
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super Rare! Modernist Atomic 1950s Television by Olympic, Tambour doors "new rocket tuner" Probably one of the best designed T.V'S I...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Plastic, Wood, Mahogany
Ant. Victorian Carved Oak Aneroid Barometer, Scotland 1900, H854
Located in Vancouver, BC
Ant. Victorian carved oak aneroid barometer, Scotland 1900, H854
Scotland 1900
Solid oak
Original finish
Oak carved floral carving on top and bottom
Barometer has a thermometer which is held in an oak glass fronted case...
Category
Early 1900s Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Art Deco Rock-Ola "Loboy" Porcelain Enamel Coin-Op Penny Scale
By Rock-Ola
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beginning in the Late 19th Century, the penny scale offered a means for passersby to quickly check their weight without going to the trouble of seeing a doctor; simultaneously - and perhaps more notably - they provided an irresistible opportunity for businesses to advertise and earn extra revenue. Penny scales quickly became a platform for creativity in advertising and design, as machines competed to attract the attention of customers on the street.
This scale - the "LoBoy" model - was produced by the jukebox manufacturing company Rock-Ola in the 1930s and features a Classic skyscraper-inspired Art Deco Silhouette in black and white porcelain enamel. The mirrored glass display features instructions ("Stand Still - Keep Clear") as well as a reference chart which provides 'healthy' weights for men and women by height. The scale itself has been modified to function without needing to deposit a coin. This piece would make a super unique and functional addition to any retro bathroom!
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Botanic Model of Inflorescence, Flower Head, Italy, 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical schematic model by Prof. T. Ferraris, didactic use, of a type of inflorescence specimen, the Simple Flower Head, made with hand-painte...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Calcolatrice Addizionatrice Merchant, Anni 20
Located in Felino, IT
calcolatrice addizionatrice. Marchant mod hs8-36961 del 1920 c.a in ottimo stato di conservazione. pare funzionare, ma non ne garantisco l'utilizzabilita' totale. i meccanismi comunq...
Category
1920s European Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
Solid Brass Ships Nautical Miles Gauge
Located in Norwell, MA
Made in England by Thomas Walker and Son LTD Birmingham. Triple dial, anchor logo, nautical miles, and per mile and hundred miles gauges. Great piece of nautical décor.
Weight: 8 ...
Category
1970s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Antique Contin Typewriter from the, 1940s
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French antique Contin Typewriter from the 1940s
This is a Contin Continsouza Paris, Modèle A n 24 - 1940s, the typewriter is good tidy condition, as a show piece, it all seems to...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Ant. Victorian Carved Oak Aneroid Barometer, Scotland 1900, H764
Located in Vancouver, BC
Ant. Victorian carved oak Aneroid Barometer, "Admiral Fitzrays Indicators", Scotland 1900, H764
Scotland 1900
Solid Oak
Original Finish
Barometer has a thermometer which is held in an oak glass fronted case...
Category
Early 1900s Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Antique the Vetter Co Ideal Planetarium Model 1930s in Original Case
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique The Vetter Co. Ideal Planetarium Model 1930s in original case. Item features an original metal case, brass and metal construction, original label, very nice antique item...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1980s Chocolate Brown Touchtone Desk Phone
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage chocolate brown touchtone desk phone. Circa 1980s
Features a bright chocolate brown body with contrasting gray buttons.
The base has rubber feet ...
Category
1980s South Korean Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Scarce Early 20th Century French Richard Jules Mahogany Cased Barograph
By Jules Richard
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and interesting French mahogany-cased barograph by Richard Jules. circa 1900
Exquisitely handcrafted in Paris, France, in the early 20th century, this fine weather forecasting scientific instrument is a barometer that records the barometric pressure over time in graphical form, as well as make a continuous recording of atmospheric pressure.
Housed in a high-quality protective wooden case, having hinged lid with original glazed glass panel sides, barograph with centigrade thermometer scale, fitted with eight aneroid capsules stacked in series, cylindrical drum element with graph for data recording and analysis.
Signed, retaining the maker's marks to top and interior. The metal plaque affixed to top reads: "Barometre Enregistreur
Ancene Mon Richard Frères...
Category
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Universal Model CE-616 Turquoise AM Band Portable Radio & Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This radio was made by Universal of Canada and dates to approximately 1965 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. This radio is a six transistor AM band portable radio done with a turquoise plastic molded...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Laboratory Microscope, German, Scientific Instrument, Carl Zeiss Jena
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage laboratory microscope. A German, enamelled metal scientific instrument by Carl Zeiss Jena, dating to the late 20th century, circa ...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Era Assorted Medical Doctor's Field Examination Instrument Set
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage medical doctor's instrument set is unsigned, except for a few numbers on several of the pieces, but presumed to have originated from German...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stainless Steel
Solid Brass Ships Sextant In Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Late Nineteenth Navigators Sextant. T Frame design. Box has label of H.A. Johannesen Compass Adjuster, Fish Dock Rd., Grimsby. Circa 1920. Phone number on...
Category
1920s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
20th Century French Iron, Walnut Spotlight, Cinema Floor Spot Lamp by Clémançon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey-black, vintage Mid-Century Modern French spotlight made of handcrafted lacquered iron, designed and produced by Clémançon in good condition. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron, Brass
Large 1940s Vintage Industrial Apothecary Laboratory Teaching Scale Balance
Located in Lafayette, IN
Rare 1940's vintage large-scale teaching scale/balance. Scale stands a massive 50" tall and was originally used as an instructional scale in a Purdue University lab (hence the large ...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel, Iron
Set of Two 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
Decorative Telescope with Level, Metal, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Telescope with decorative level. Metal.
Small decorative telescope with top level and three adjustable legs that also has a compass and bubble levels."
S...
Category
20th Century Unknown Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Other
British Royal Navy Ship’s Binnacle Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass ship’s compass on gimbal mounted into a brass binnacle housing. The nameplate reads pattern 0183, and serial number 14313-B. The compass car...
Category
1940s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Edwardian Quality Carved Oak Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Edwardian quality carved oak banjo barometer having a quality carved oak shaped banjo barometer with a circular porcelain dial with original hands, brass bezel and a thermome...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Botanic Model of Inflorescence, the Corymb, Italy, 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical schematic model by Prof. T. Ferraris, didactic use, of a type of inflorescence specimen, the Corymb, made with hand-painted plaster co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Curiosité Cabinet Collection of Shell Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Botanic Model of Inflorescence, the Spiga, Italy 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanic didactical model of one type of inflorescence specimen, the Spiga, made out of hand painted colored plaster gems, wooden branches and pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
MId-Century Modern Sterling Silver-Mounted Honeywell Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern, sterling silver-mounted Honeywell barometer, Baldwin and Miller Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, Ca. 1950's. Barometer mechanism itself is made by the Honeywell Compan...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Sterling Silver
Metal Binoculars with Case, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Binoculars with case.
Decoration complements.
Silver metal binoculars with graducation nuts and clean and elegant lines. Inspired by classic models. Weight: 945 gr."
Size: 9 x 15...
Category
20th Century Unknown Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Other
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Optical XD 7489 Medical Supply Test
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Optical XD 7489 Medical Supply Test. Item features a Bausch & Lomb optical device. We are not exactly sure what is used for or wha...
Category
Late 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
RARE SUITE OF ORIGINAL NATURAL HiSTORY MUSEUM CASED IN PERSPEX SPECIMENS
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this amazing suite of original natural history museum cased specimens
A very rare find, these are old examples and some very interesting pieces, the list is as follows
1:- POM 17615 PINGUICULA
2:- POM 17600 VENUS FLYTRAP...
Category
20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Botanic Model of Inflorescence, the Raceme or Cluster, Italy, 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical schematic model by Prof. T. Ferraris, didactic use, of a type of inflorescence specimen, the Raceme or cluster, made with hand-painted...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Italian Mid-Century Medical Laboratory Bed Brown Leather and White Metal, 1940s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Medical laboratory bed brown leather and white metal, 1940s
Medical laboratory bed with cream white painted metal structure. The backrest, footrest and seat are ...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Thermometer, Inlaid with Marquetry, Vienna Austria, 1907
Located in Vienna, AT
antique thermometer, inlaid with marquetry, Vienna Austria 1907, mahogany, good original condition
On the back is the composition of the material...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
A botanic model of inflorescence, the Simple Umbrella, Italy 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical schematic model by Prof. T. Ferraris, didactic use, of a type of inflorescence specimen, the Simple Umbrella, made with hand-painted p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
1950s Swiss Chef Food Fruit Vegetable Chopper Switzerland
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Swiss chef food fruit vegetable chopper.
Made in Switzerland, Fruit-vegetable chopper.
Vintage, pre-owned. Patina present. Clear plastic has s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Carved Wooden Antique French Barometer with Thermometer, Number 9432 1910s
By Black Forest
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden antique French barometer with thermometer
Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order.
Number 9432
...
Category
1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
West German Unisex Anatomical Model, circa 1950
By Somso
Located in Faversham, GB
A complete West German unisex anatomical figure of a head and torso with removal organs. Hand painted and in excellent condition.
German, circa 1950...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic
Italian Renaissance Chrome Armillary
Located in New York, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (20th Century) chrome armillary globe with a rust patina.
Category
20th Century American Renaissance Revival Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
Gucci Rare Barometer and Clock Year 1960 Vintage Design
By Paolo Gucci
Located in Biella, IT
Gucci rare barometer and clock year 1960 vintage design. Measure h 17 inches x L12" x deep 3".
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
1920s Art Deco Antique Square Glass Ink Well
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1920s Art Deco antique square glass ink well
Unmarked.
Measures: 2.5 tall x 2.88 x 2.88
Preowned original unrestored vintage condition.
Refer to ima...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Three-Dimensional Midcentury Anatomical Wall Plaster Sculpture, Germany, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury three-dimensional anatomical plaster painting, provenance Hygiene Museum Dresden with museum sticker label, Germany 1950s.
Please note tha...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Paravia Collection 100 Rocks, Educational Material, Italy 1950s
By Paravia
Located in Naples, IT
Collection 100 Rocks, Teaching Material, Italy 1950s
Geology teaching board "Minerals and Rocks" G.B. Paravia Scientific Collection - Turin
The ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rock Crystal
Set of Four Vintage Weights, circa 1920
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of four vintage weights: 5, 2, 1 and a half kilograms. By unknown manufacturer, circa 1920.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with...
Category
1920s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Large Vintage Scientific Botanical Plant 3d Educational Leaf Cross-Section Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
1940's leaf cross-section model by Denoyer-Geppert of Chicago, Illinois. Model stands 19" tall and features Hand-painted details with excellent original...
Category
1940s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
1950s Anatomical Teaching Model Of Normal Size Depicting A Hoolow Foot
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical teaching model of normal size depicting a hollow foot in section showing a strong accentuation of the plantar arch and how the foot rest is mainly on the forefoot and heel...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
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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