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Scientific Instruments For Sale
A paradoxical orrery that demonstrates the earth-moon system. Italy circa 1860.
Located in Milan, IT
A paradoxical orrery that demonstrates the earth-moon system and its movement. The base of the planetarium is made of fruit wood, circular in shape with three bell-shaped wood feet. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Antique English Mahogany Marine Barometer signed Nixon
By Nixon
Located in Devon, GB
An early 19th century mahogany marine barometer of exceptional quality and originality. The elegant carved, fluted and turned case has an inset engrav...
Category
19th Century British George IV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
A Set of 19th c. Carpenter's Molding Wood Planes
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique wooden carpentry planes used to make trim and moldings. Stamped "Ohio Tool Co." on the side. Shown with life size hand mold for scale.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE ...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Antique Painted Red Cast Iron Scale
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming cast iron antique early 1900s scale with original red paint and a large brass tray. The weight is fixed, moving from side to side. The red paint has a beautiful patina, as...
Category
Early 20th Century American Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Rare Antique 19th C Reuben Sutcliffe English Nickel Plated Hanging Balance Scale
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental 19th century English general store balance by Reuben Sutcliffe of Manchester. Made from Iron with a rich nickel plated finish. The company traded on Thomas Street, Manches...
Category
Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Nickel
$2,500 Sale Price
50% Off
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
17th Century Lantern Alarm Clock by Johannes Quelch, Oxford
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
An English 17th century lantern clock made of brass and iron, circa 1665-1670. The clock consists of going and striking trains, as well as a...
Category
17th Century British Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Giltwood Wall Mercury Barometer
Located in Norwich, GB
French giltwood cased diamond barometer, verre eglomise dial with seven weather indications and original pointer signed 'Fouin', circa 1830.
Category
1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Collection of 18th and 19th Century Arabic Astrolabes and Quadrant
Located in London, GB
A collection of 18th and 19th century Arabic astrolabes and quadrant
Persian, 18th/19th Century
Largest: height 23cm, width 13cm, depth 3cm
Smallest: height 6.5cm, width 4.5cm, depth 1.5cm
This excellent set of antique astronomical instruments is a selection of five Persian brass astrolabes...
Category
Early 19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th c. D.R. Barton Smooth Coffin Plane c.1832
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Rare D handled smooth coffin plane.
CREATOR D.R. Barton.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1832.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Walnut, Steel.
CONDITION Good. Wear consiste...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Collection of 19th and 20th Century Spoke Shaves
By Stanley
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Collection of antique 19th century wood spoke shaves and early 20th century steel spoke shaves.
CREATOR Stanley, Made in England. Kunz, Made in Germany.
DATE OF MAN...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Vintage Telescope Tripod, English, Oak, Bronze, Support Stand, 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage telescope tripod. An English, oak and bronze support Stand, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1940.
Displays a desirable aged...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Astrolabes
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of antique brass astrolabes with iron brackets
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$3,850 / set
English Pathologist Box Made of Mahogany with Brass, Including Instruments
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Curious antique English box made of mahogany with brass details, inside which are the working instruments of a pathologist. The division of the interior of the box is covered in red ...
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Very Large George III Rosewood Gallery Magnifying Glass
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very large George III rosewood gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a rosewood frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bra...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
19th Century French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
Add a touch of vintage charm to your decor with this exquisite 19th-century French metal scale. Crafted during a period renowned for its fine attention to detail, this scale features...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Optical Blue Refractor Phoropter Medical Eye Exam Machine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Optical Blue Refractor Phoropter Medical Eye Exam Machine. Early 20th Century. Measurements: 11" H x 12.5" W x 4" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Seldom Seen Authentic Exploding Skull, Medical, After Claude Beauchêne
By Claude Beauchene
Located in Buffalo, NY
Authentic Exploding Skull
Originally created by Edmé François Chauvot de Beauchêne (ca.1780-1830), a French anatomist and
surgeon, developed this disarticulation method to comprehensively show all the
cranial bones and their connections.
The exploded skull...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Solid Brass Ships Telephone On Pedesta
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished brass ships telephone on pedestal. Meticulously polished andl lacquered head by Hose-McCann Telephone Co, Inc., Brooklyn New York. Type A, model WTP, with phone insid...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Double Barel Victorian Brass Tripod Telescope London 1915
Located in Sofia, BG
20th Century large antique double barel Victorian brass telescope raised on a foldable wooden tripod made in London in 1915.
Very good original condition.
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$2,147 Sale Price
24% Off
Fine Vintage Deyrolle Paris Anatomical Model of Human Lungs in Display Case
By Deyrolle
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage French anatomical medical teaching aid of a lung with a plaque reading Anatomie Humaine, Poumons & Coeur made by Deyrolle Paris.
A very good looking and well made piece, hand made in France, there are two descriptive plaques, they read as below, this piece was made by Deyrolle Paris, they are a taxidermy store that has been in the same location since 1831, the brass mount is signed Deyrolle Paris
Plaque 1
ANATOMIE HUMAINE
POUMONS & COEUR
Les Fils D’Emile Deyrolle 46 Rue Du Bac Paris
Plaque 2...
Category
20th Century French Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Plastic
Antique Draw Knife and Mezzaluna Knife c.1860-1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique 12 inch draw knife with wooden handles and one mezzaluna knife with Beech handles. Brass collars.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c. 1860-1900.
MAT...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel, Brass
Accordion by Sabatino Nocentini & Figli Made in Florence, Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Italian custom made accordion by Sabatino Nocentini Castiglion & Figli.
Antique pearl white accordion, Italian accordion with profuse inlay decoration, gorgeous hand made wit...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Abalone, Wood, Shell
Anatomical Plaque by New York Scientific Supply Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand painted, plaster, anatomical plate by New York Scientific Supply Co. depicting the musculature and circulatory systems of the face and head on a wood plaque.
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Plaster
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
Vintage Spirit Level, English, Rosewood, Craftsman's Instrument, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage spirit level. An English, Rosewood and craftsman's instrument, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Period appeal with...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Brass and Leather Three Draw Telescope, Late 19th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
Late 19th century French brass and leather 3 draw telescope spyglass.
The spyglass is made from brass. The base is wrapped with leather. Comes with the...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Taper Maker, English, Brass, Shipwright's Woodworking Tool, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage taper maker. An English, brass shipwright's woodworking tool, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Midcentury crafting to...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Bean Seedling
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Bean Seedling
A rare antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900. ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Vintage Egg Timer, English, Brass, Glass, 3 Minute Sand Countdown, Mid-Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage egg timer. An English, brass and glass 3 minute sand countdown, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960.
Charming vintage timer set w...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Antique Book Press with 4 Drawer Stone Top Flat Art File Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A working antique iron book press which sits atop a four drawer art storage cabinet with two brass identification card holders on each drawer. ...
Category
19th Century Rustic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Brass, Iron
Bronze Mortar - Italy - 16th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Italian Renaissance bronze mortar with his pestle - 16th century
Very beautiful model with AN in its center surmounted by a cross below .
The mortar is decorated with several...
Category
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Rare Antique English Mammoth Map or Library Magnifying Glass, circa 1930
Located in Bath, GB
Wow, you need to hands to lift this mammoth magnifying glass, a great look for the library and a real talking point.
The handle is made from cast brass and the frame for the glass...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$1,816 Sale Price
20% Off
Portable Copying Machine by James Watt & Co.
By James Watt
Located in New Orleans, LA
Considered the first step into the world of modern photocopying, the copying machine was among the first widely used devices to successfully produce an ex...
Category
18th Century English Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Dental Tool Kit
Located in London, GB
19th century dental tool kit
A rare set of 19th century dental tool kit, all tools are encased in a wooden box with brass latch and lined with a worn red...
Category
19th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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 Gold French Empire Hexagonal Giltwood Verre Églomisé Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold patinated, antique French hexagonal barometer made of handcrafted giltwood, in good condition. The top part of the Parisian décor piece is enhanced by flower carvings. The glass dial is particularized with Verre Églomisé. The thermometer represent the First French Empire time...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Antique Cased Microscope, English, Scientific Instrument, Swift & Son, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased microscope. An English, black enamel scientific instrument by J. Swift & Son of London, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 191...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Gallon chekpump for Northamptonshire County Council
Located in London, GB
A copper and brass one gallon "chekpump" standard fuel measure for Northamptonshire County Council. Circa 1915.
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Push Button Genie Telephone in Peach
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Very sleek & cool styling in this Genie telephone. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear retains the great color of it's early days. Not tested.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1917 Waymouth Cooke Naval Rangefinder Sextant
Located in San Mateo, CA
Naval range finder made by Waymouth-Cooke of London. These were based on the principals of a sextant range finder. They were patented in 1914. The Mark II like this one came out in 1...
Category
1910s English Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
1960s Hanging Brass Temperature Thermometer Gauge
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Brass Temperature Gauge
1960s Modern Decorative Brass Hanging Temperature Thermometer Gauge
Solid Brass and Cork
10 tall 3.5 tall with handle x 1.13 in diameter
Preowned original...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Magnifier Accessories Gold Bronce Desktop Eagle Claw Base Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Brass adjustable desk magnifier
20th century
Elegant desktop magnifying glass made of golden brass, with original magnifying glass and very ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$573 Sale Price
31% Off
Vintage Balance, English, Mahogany, Scientific Scales, Stanton Instruments, 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage analytical balance. An English, mahogany cased set of scientific scales by Stanton Instruments of London, dating to the mid-20th c...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
1820-35 Large Clock Barometer by Silvani Brighton Antique Forecast Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Rare large barometer complete with clock signed Silvani Brighton, dated from 1820 and 1835. Finely crafted mahogany wood case with double thread at th...
Category
1840s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Double Sided Standing Dutch Chalk Board
Located in Stamford, CT
A very large 1900-1910 century chalk board from the Netherlands. The solid wood stand is substantial and easy to move on its antique casters. Great in a kid's room, a restaurant, or ...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Pair of Glass Pharmacy Jars, Italy, 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
Pair of glass pharmacy jars, Italy, 1930s
Found in an old disused pharmacy.
Good condition. One has an imperceptible chip on the edge.
Being handcra...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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
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
English Marine Barometer with Rope Carved Case
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century library barometer with rope carved case. Great old piece. Fitted with a brass hanging tab. Circa 1920.
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Mid 19th Century Mahogany Magnifying Glass
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
A rare Large Victorian Magnifying or Looking Glass, Made from Mahogany Wood all in origianal condition.
Known as a gallery glass it allows gentle magnification of items from variable...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Two Mushrooms Scientific Models Europe , Germany 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage set of two different types of mushrooms, show Models which are native to middle Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools. Colorful...
Category
1960s German Folk Art Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
American Victorian Scale and Height Measure
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian standing scale with mahogany center post and brass weight and height measure with platform base on wheels (signed FAIRBANKS)
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A small mid 19th C brass telescope with an original folding brass tripod stand
Located in Central England, GB
This fine and very rare small scale brass telescope is a delightful piece of Victorian engineering with quality optics.
The telescope has a fixed barrel with an unusual focusing mec...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Anemometer 1950 Coal Mining Vintage Science Equipment in Brass and Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Mechanical desk anemometer in brass.
Very interesting scientific coal mining anemometer, made up back in the 1950's with brass and blackened steel parts...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
$468 Sale Price
20% Off
Recording Copper Rain Gauge by Casella & Co of London
By Casella
Located in London, GB
An 8" diameter recording copper rain gauge by C F Casella & Co of London.
With an internal 24 hour "Gluck" barometer recorder.
Height:63 cm.
Diameter: 28 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
$1,982 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Gregorian Brass Telescope By Springer Of Bristol
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine 3" Gregorian telescope by Springer of Bristol, although signed this model is very similar to examples we have had by George Adams and could have been made by him for Springer ...
Category
18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Chinese Hanging Opium Scale in Wooden Case
Located in Chicago, IL
This curious keepsake is a hanging opium scale with brass pans, used to measure opium and other goods by weight. The scale is held in a wooden case that folds to a half-moon shape an...
Category
20th Century Chinese Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Set of Two Antique Spanish Wooden Stamps, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of two antique wooden stamps, made in Spain by unknown manufacturer, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category
1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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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Library Telescope
Opera Binoculars
Antique Microscope Slide
Antique Planer Tools
Opera Glasses Mother Of Pearl
Optician Sign
Stanley Tool
Surveyors Level
Torricelli Barometer
Antique Butcher Hook
Antique Cast Iron Weighing Scales
Antique Medical Box
Antique Medical Devices
Antique Metal Wood Planes
Antique Syringes
Antique Wooden Grinder
Avery Scales
German Sundial