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Scientific Instruments For Sale
1890s Hand Painted Life Size Anatomical of Head
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early and high quality hand-painted plaster antique anatomical model of an adult human head. I would date this to 1900. The detail...
Category

Late 19th Century German Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Ancient Planet Model, Tellurium, FR. J. Berg, Stockholm, circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Ancient planet model so-called tellurium Stockholm Metal, wood, paper around 1900 Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 x 56 x 20 cm Description: Display model with sun, earth and moon on hea...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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, Brass, Iron

English Regency Gilt Figural and Ebonized Dital Harp, Maker E. Light, Circa 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency gilt stenciled figural and floral ebonized dital harp signed by maker Edward Light. Retailed at Srohl Foley place London, Early 19th century.
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

String, Wood, Ebony, 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

Mid-Century French Louis XV Carved Giltwood Wall Barometer
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique Louis XV barometer was crafted in Paris, France, circa 1960. Square in shape, the wall piece features the original hand painte...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Pair of molecular atomic structure models. Leybold, Germany, 1940.
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of molecular atomic structure models for chemical didactic use. The spheres are made of painted wood and represent atoms and a molecule. The bases are in turned and ebonized fru...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood

Antique Chemist's Mortar & Pestle, French Bronze Apothecary Aid, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique chemist's mortar & pestle set. A French, bronze apothecary aid with beech and ceramic pestle, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Delightful French ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Botanic Modelof a Primrose Flower, Paravia, Italy, 1940
Located in Milan, IT
A botanical maquette for didactic use, depicting a flower of Primrose, Acaulis, Primulaceae. Made of metal, paper, plaster, galalith and wood. Extremely detailed. Paravia, Milan, Ita...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Dutch 19th Century Carved Wooden Barometer
Located in Delft, NL
A Dutch carved wooden barometer with copper and facet cut glass housing. The carved wood has a scene of fruits and scrolls A barometer is a scien...
Category

Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

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

Three-Dimensional Midcentury Italian Wall Plaster Didactic Anatomical, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury three-dimensional didactic anatomical panel in plaster with Antonio Vallardi Milano label, Italy 1950s Please note that the item is original of the period and t...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

A pair of celestial and terrestrial globes, E.Pini, Gussoni & Dotti, Italy 1892.
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of Italian globes. On an ebonized wooden base, worked on the lathe, with a circular foot and perfect patina, are placed: a celestial globe of 9,2 inches, compiled by the enginee...
Category

1890s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Danish Art Deco Desk Armillary - Sundial in Brass & Onyx Marble, 1940s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish armillary sphere - sundial raised upon two architecturally shaped blocks of red/maroon onyx marble. It has a small bronze plaque saying in Danish 'Do as I, count only the l...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Brass

Anatomical model: an external and inner ear, Dresden, Germany 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting an external and internal ear, made of painted papier-mâché and plaster, all placed on a base of fruit wood painted black. Mad...
Category

Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Fruitwood, Parchment Paper

1800s Veterinarians Horse Gag and Cutaway Skull
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early medical school demonstration model. The horse skull on its own very interesting. It shows a professionally done cutaway of the skull showing the teeth below the gum ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bone

19th Century Glazed Specimen Box Containing Wheat Agricultural Scientific Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rustically produced 19th century glazed specimen box containing wheat and grain hybrids. The pine hinged box opens to reveal two glazed and segmented sections, with a painted blue...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine

19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Atribb. A.L. Vago London, C.1870
By Vago
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Attributed to A.L. Vago London. C 1870 This diminutive plaster Phrenology head, attributed to A.L. Vago London circa 1870, stands as a f...
Category

19th Century English High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Antique Three-Draw Telescope, English, Walnut, Brass, Navigation, Georgian, 1790
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique three-draw telescope. An English,walnut and brass navigational or astronomical instrument by Lincoln of London, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1790. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. A fine and tactile example of Georgian optical craftsmanship Crafted with a striking walnut main barrel, displaying warm amber tones Walnut exhibits a fine grain pattern, with minimal wear commensurate with gentle use Features three smoothly operating brass draw tubes, with bright golden hues Engraved to the rear barrel with 'Lincoln, London' – a noted maker of the period Fitted with a push-type dust cover to protect the 40mm primary objective lens Bright, functional optics with a clear image – suited for both display and gentle use A handsome piece for the collector of nautical antiques or scientific instruments Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display Further enhanced with the original leather carry sleeve, in lightly time worn order Elegant and evocative, this Georgian telescope...
Category

1790s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Set of (14) Vintage Anatomy Charts by American Map Co. - sold individually
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of (14) Vintage Anatomy Charts American Map Co. - Circa 1950. 14 Total Charts - Sold Individually -( 14 available ) ( discounted to buy as a set ) 29" x 37" unfolded 9.5" x 12...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

A Fine Early 19th Century Marine Chronometer By Parkinson And Frodsham
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An early 19th century 2 day marine chronometer by Parkinson and Frodsham, London. Numbered on the brass bound mahogany 3 tier box, and the dial ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Anatomical Model, Man and Woman, 80s 90s Curiosity
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional Human Anatomy Model from the 80s, 90s. Male and Female Figures on a black stand. The outer casting, such as the individual intestines a...
Category

20th Century Unknown Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Leitz Brass Compound Microscope
By E. Leitz
Located in New Orleans, LA
Brass Compound Microscope in Case Ernst Leitz Dated 1897 This rare late 19th-century compound microscope was crafted by the renowned optical firm Ernst Leitz GmbH of Wetzlar, German...
Category

19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Optical Glass, Wood

Telescope with Tripod, Metal, Decorative Object
Located in Madrid, ES
Telescope with tripod. gold metallic antique finish Decorative use, not functional. Gilt metal telescope decorated with a dark band standing on...
Category

20th Century Unknown Other Scientific Instruments

Materials

Other

1970's Vintage Framed Abacus - Pair
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1970’s Vintage Framed Abacus – Pair. Sourced from a collector in the Czech republic this is a pair of large scale abacus used as a class teaching model. In excellent condition. Wor...
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Birch

Antique European Enameled Postal Scale with Brass
Located in Miami, FL
Antique European Enameled Postal Scale with Brass, this desk top pendulum scale is a quirky and fun addition to your collection of antique scales. Bought from a collector, it’s made ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Enamel

Vintage Oil Can
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Copper Force Feed Oil Can. An automotive tin oil can. A fantastic piece of vintage motoring ephemera, the perfect gift for the motoring enthusiast. Who would have thought the...
Category

20th Century British Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Apothecary Mortar and Pestle, English, Brass, Chemist, Victorian, C.1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique apothecary mortar and pestle. An English, brass chemist's shop aid, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Italy, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Roma, IT
Antique bronze mortar. Handmade with pestle. Original patina Mortar from pharmacy or herbalist. Italian bronze mortar and pestle Measure: Pe...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Other Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, SOMSO, Germany circa 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made out of polyvinyl chloride, plaster, glass and painted paper, metal ho...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Art Nouveau Waterman 'Ideal' 14 Karat Gold Fountain Pen, circa 1910
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 1900s Waterman 'Ideal' fountain pen in 14 karat gold pierced and engraved filigree design, with a lever filling system. Missing its original bladder but otherwise intact. No...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold

Antique Zoological Wall Chart
Located in Oakville, CT
Antique Pfurtscheller wall chart Overall Dimensions: 53" x 56" Chart Dimensions: 50 1/2" x 56 Materials: Paper & Linen.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Linen, Paper

John Bennett Georgian Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Georgian barometer by the leading London instrument-maker John Bennett strongly reflects the prevalent furniture style and archite...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Chromed Brass, Terrestrial, Astro, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 2 draw telescope. An English, chromed brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display. Of generous proportion when fully drawn, and neatly stowed in its own case Displaying a desirable aged patina, some light marks commensurate with use Leather covered primary barrel tanned in dark green with some light colour wear Polished draw tubes show bright silvered tones, lightly marked from gentle use Presenting a clear optical performance, with a 34mm (1.25") primary objective lens Lift-off dust cap to the objective, the flared eye cup...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Steel and Wood Chisels
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A set of antique steel and wood chisels with bronze collars. One steel nail punch. CREATOR Stanely. Buck Brothers. E.A. Berg Eskilstuna. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1850-1...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Steel

American Brass Telegraph Mounted on Circular Mahogany Base Bendix NY, Circa 1930
By Bendix Corporation
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass ship's double engine order telegraph mounted on circular mahogany base. E. O. T. has been electrified and has a faint bell ring when changing positions. Bendix Corpor...
Category

1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Wire

Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s. Manufactured for SEARS is the equivalent of a Smith-Corona Classic 12. Features a stylish mid century...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

French enamel, brass and mother of pearl Opera Glasses
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French enamel, brass and mother of pearl opera glasses, pink enamelled and jewelled barrels, with mother of pearl caps. Go...
Category

1880s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Enamel

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

French Louis XVI Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XVI (18th Century) barometer with original scientific illustrations and mercury vial framed with gilt foliate carvings & ebonized ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood, Glass

An anatomical plaster model of the section of the head, Austria 1870.
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical model of the section of the head, cast out of plaster, signed “ K.K.S.T.G.S.C.H Innsbruck, in a very good condition and with original patina. Anatomical study purpose. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

19th Century German “Magic Lantern” Image Projector with Brass Lens
Located in Middleburg, VA
A captivating piece of pre-cinema history, this 19th-century German "magic lantern" image projector is an evocative relic from the dawn of visual storytelling. Crafted circa 1890, th...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Metal, Steel, Iron, Sheet Metal, Tin

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

Terrestrial Table Globe by Félix Delamarche, Paris, 1821
By Félix Delamarche
Located in Milano, IT
Terrestrial table globe Félix Delamarche Paris, 1821 It measures 20.47 in height, Ø max 14.17 in; the sphere Ø 9.44 in (h 52 cm x Ø max 36.5 cm; the sphere Ø 24 cm) Wood, printed...
Category

1820s French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

A barometer signed jecker, Paris 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Antique mahogany wall barometer composed of a glass tube containing mercury with its reserve. On the upper part a gable-shaped pediment and a screwed brass plate with a small alcohol...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Bavarian Pharmacy Balance
Located in New Orleans, LA
This amazing and extremely rare Bavarian Biedermeier-period pharmacy balance stand would have been at home at any apothecary’s shop during the mid-19th century. Crafted of walnut with bold giltwood accents, this stand holds eight separate sets of balances with brass beams and pointers, and weighing pans made of Horn, brass and porcelain. The balances measure out varying sizes; the largest is capable of measuring up to 500 grams, while smallest weighs up to 5 grams. Such balances would have been essential tools in the practice of compounding, or creating customized medications to suit a specific patient's needs. The delicate porcelain scales even indicate what they were used to weigh: one set is marked “Jodoform,” or iodoform, a disinfectant and antiseptic once used to treat wounds, and the other is marked “Venena,” which is Latin for “poisons.” Each scale also exhibits stamps indicating that they have been tested for accuracy. It is extremely rare to find such a large array of scales, especially those in such wonderful condition, in one collection. This intriguing piece is a must for any medical antiques enthusiast. The units of measurement in which apothecaries worked were often minute: grains, scruples, drams and ounces. As they were typically used to measure very small amounts of ingredients, apothecary and analytical balances...
Category

19th Century Balkan Biedermeier 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

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

Vintage Mid-Century Globe Meat Slicer Sculptural Enameled Iron & Stainless
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and powerful, 1/4hp GM Delco motor. Globe deli meat slicer from the forties. Super quiet motor with a new cord and switch. In excellent vintage co...
Category

1940s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stainless Steel, Enamel, Iron, Chrome, Steel

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 Drawing Instrument Set, German, Draughtsman's Tools, Schcenner, C.1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage drawing instrument set. A German, nickel draughtsman's tool case by Schcenner, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1930. Fine German instrument set in fold-out carry case Displaying a desirable aged patina throughout Silver nickel presents a lightly tarnished appearance, commensurate with age Presented within a textured carry case with four fold design 8 pieces offering the essential tools for the travelling draughtsman Comprises a pair of compass, two bow compass and ruling pen...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nickel

19th century Danish carved walnut barometer
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Danish carved walnut barometer circa 1890. Beautifully carved from a solid piece of wood. Thermometer set in the top. Barometer with paper dial in danish. Some losses ...
Category

Late 19th Century Danish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Decorative Antique Victorian 1890 James Beall Morrison Treadle Dentist Drill
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian, circa 1890 James Beall Morrison Treadle Dentist drill Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international. Dental treadle drill, English manufacture, 1890-1940 The foot pedal is pushed up and down to power this dental drill. It is also known as a ‘treadle drill’. The drill removed areas of tooth decay. These can become infected and painful if untreated. The treadle drill was invented in 1871 by American dentist James Beall Morrison (1829-1917). He also designed dental chairs. His drill was popular with dentists throughout Europe and America. It is an example of the first mechanically powered drill. These sped up dental treatments This one seems to be in fully working order from what I can see, it’s a real survivor but then that’s not surprising, things made in the Victorian era were made to last Dimensions Height:- 144cm Width:- 52.5cm Depth:- 38cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid This item is available for collection from our Pulborough warehouses RH20 1DF. We can have it delivered nationwide to include Scotland Wales and Ireland. Please contact me via email or my contact information...
Category

1890s English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Antique Brass Plumber's Blowtorch c.1900, Made in Sweden
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique solid brass plumber's blowtorch with a perforated handle. Stamped "Primus Sweden". Shown with life size hand model for scale. CREATOR AB Bacho, Stockholm, S...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Metal

Oversized Industrial Pyrex Glass Bell Jar With Small Side Arm
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This oversized Industrial Pyrex glass bell jar is certainly a unique and an impressive art object. At 29" height and 20.5" diameter this bell jar, dome, clouche can be used any way y...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Decorative Butcher's Steelyard, English, Iron, Weighing Instrument, 1800
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustment of balance weight The Steel...
Category

Early 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera c.1937-1939
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome and black accents and flip out view finder. Shown with life size hand. Sold as decorative o...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a lovely cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Specimen Collector's Chest of Drawers, French, Walnut Desk Box, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage specimen collector's chest of drawers. A French, solid walnut four drawer executive desk box, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930. Exceptional figuring and f...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Anatomical model: an external and inner ear, Germany early 20th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for class, depicting an external and inner ear, made out of painted papier plaster, mounted on a black painted plaster rectangular base. Sold from Paravia, Italy, to...
Category

Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

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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