Scientific Instruments
6
730
to
61
453
264
730
730
730
112
47
36
27
15
15
7
7
6
4
4
3
2
1
142
588
902
7
412
320
67
42
50
43
48
39
62
39
29
9
1
403
367
213
116
77
601
247
195
152
52
2
2
2
2
2
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
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
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
Antique Stick Barometer, Walnut, Scientific Instrument, Negretti & Zambra, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique stick barometer. An English, walnut scientific instrument with thermometer by Negretti & Zambra, dating to the late Victoria...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
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
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
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
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
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
French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Giltwood Barometer Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and extremely decorative French 18th century Louis XVI period giltwood barometer thermometer. The most decorative barometer thermometer retains its original glass pane enc...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Equal Arm Brass Scale with Weights
Located in Houston, TX
This equal arm brass scale is set on a wooden platform with brass weights. The wooden platform has circular cutouts for the weights This piece is functional and beautifully. The wood...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
1870s Vintage Mahogany Barometer Signed Verga Weather Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian antique barometer, complete with thermometer, made of mahogany wood with threads and decorations in other essences, English manufacture, signed Verga Macclesfield of the mid-19th century.
Very good state in perfect working order.
Height 100 cm - 39.37 inches, width 26 cm - 10.23 inches, depth 6 cm - 2.36 inches.
When it was discovered, that changes of atmospheric pressure are connected to changes of weather, barometers became very popular.
For safety during transport the barometer will be shipped emptied of mercury. The mercury will be placed in a sealed container in the package together with the barometer.
Evangelista Torricelli...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
Antique Yacht Or Boat Binnacle Compass by Polaris
By Polaris
Located in Norwell, MA
Boat compass in binnacle with hinged lid, sidelight, brass hook, etc. Very fine condition. Gimballed compass is by Polaris. Great piece.
Overall dimensions: 11"H x 7"D x 8"L. 5 po...
Category
1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Decorative Butcher's Steelyard, English, Iron, Weighing Instrument, 1800
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique decorative butcher's steelyard. An English, cast iron weighing instrument, dating to the late 18th century, circa 1800.
Decorative hanging piece with countrysid...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Water Filter Pharmacy Display Item
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique ceramic water filter, complete with pewter spout and lid, was created in Provence, France, circa 1870. In the old days, it was used as a promotional display in a Pharmac...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
"The Zodiac and Eclyptics" French Engraved 18th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This interesting and rare 18th Century astronomy print represents an eclipse of the Sun and one of the Moon.
Entitled " The Zodiac and Eclyptics", it explains what the Zodiac is and its main uses. The french texts develop numerous observations on the Zodiac.
In the centre we find the illustrations of the different eclipses.
The text and the drawing are surrounded by an engraved frame made up of various plants and shell motifs but also of scientific objects...
Category
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
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
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
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
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
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
Antique Print of a New Water Exhausting Machine, 1758
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'A New Machine for exhausting a large quantity of water'. Print of a new water exhausting machine. This print originates from 'The Universal Magazine...
Category
1750s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
Copper Alloy Weights Marc System
Located in Leuven , BE
Copper alloy weights Marc system.
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
French Late 18th Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Barometer, Signed Giroux
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An most elegant and extremely high quality French late 18th/ beginning of the 19th century, ormolu and Sèvres porcelain barometer, signed Giroux. The barometer has a central bottom a...
Category
18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ormolu
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
19th Century French Hand Painted and Gilt Iron Scale with Paris Coat of Arms
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your kitchen counter with this elegant colorful antique butcher scale. Crafted in France, circa 1880, the double face scientific instrum...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron
19th Century Wooden English Barometer Antique Forecast Weather Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden barometer measuring instrument English manufacture made in the mid 19th century, silver-plated brass dial engraved with meteorological indicati...
Category
1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Recording Dial Clock by the International Time Recording Company
Located in Peekskill, NY
A Recording dial clock by the International Time Recording Company, Endicott, New York. In the original oak case and (the first we have ever seen) original table stand. The dial measures 30" diameter. Hight on the table is 71". When plugged in the interior light comes on and the clock motor hums.
Note: From the American History Museum website: "at the end of the 1800s, early 1900s the industrial revolution was taking place and large numbers of people were taking jobs in the cities. Being punctual was the expected behavior as "time is money" attitude prevailed. Also, recording and scrutinizing expenses for labor, materials and overhead were getting more attention than ever before. By the early twentieth century the International Time Recording Company supplied an entire line of timekeeping devices, including master clocks, several types of time clocks, and time stamps. Founded in 1900, the firm continuously expanded its product line, underwent several reorganizations and name changes, and emerged in 1924 as the International Business Machine Corporation, familiar today as IBM. One of the firm's most popular products was the dial time recorder...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Regency English Black Painted Rosewood Banjo Barometer Circa 1800
Located in New York, NY
18th century antique black painted rosewood banjo barometer having a swan neck pediment with a quality shaped figured Rosewood case. It boasts a silvered engraved dial with original ...
Category
18th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rosewood
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
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
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
Engraving of an 18th-Century Measuring Device, Based on Double Reflection, C1780
Located in Langweer, NL
"Occasus Ortus"
This engraving illustrates an 18th-century measuring device.
The instrument, built after the principle of the double reflection, allowed precise observations wi...
Category
1780s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Rare George III Celestial Pocket Globe by Cary, London
By Cary
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A fine and rare 3" celestial pocket globe by G & W Cary, Strand, London circa 1791, housed in its original sharkskin case.
A companion globe to terrestrial globes of this type we...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
English Mahogany Steel Engraved Stick Barometer Signed F. Tarone, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany stick Barometer with a broken arch pediment, brass urn finial, Satin wood string inlay, hinged glass door revealing a numeral steel engraved dial with original mounted thermometer and barometric pressure gauge. Signed F. Tarone. Late 18th Century Barometer...
Category
1780s English Sheraton Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Early Nineteenth Century French Thuya Wood Thermometer
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Thuya wood thermometer, with brass plate inscribed with 'Thermometre par Mouyer Nancy’. The thermometer tube is sat behind a br...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Other
Antique Print of an Anatomy Display with a Human Skeleton, 1686
Located in Langweer, NL
Description: Antique print, titled: 'To Ralph Macro of Clapton (…)'
This original old antique print shows people at an anatomy display with a human skeleton, ecorche, male body. ...
Category
1680s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Surgical Instruments Set, Signed Galante, Paris, 1870
Located in Milan, IT
An oak wood case with a complete surgery set of 8 surgical instruments made on steel, with black horn handles and rosewood, signed H. Galante & fi...
Category
1870s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Antique Pluviometer, English, Udometer, Ombrometer, Rain Recorder, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pluviometer. An English, copper udometer, ombrometer or rain recorder, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
Fasc...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
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
Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique terrestrial telescope. An English, single drawer refractor with National Service League mark, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880.
Perfect for bird watch...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
18th Century English Treen Yew Wood Mortar and Pestle
Located in Stamford, CT
18th century English treen mortar and pestle hand turned and carved from yew wood with the rich and warm patina that only comes with age and use. Beautifully carved by hand from a si...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Yew
1805 Milan Brass Topographic Level signed Pasquale Cittelli with its Walnut Box
Located in Milan, IT
Topographic level with telescope or simple theodolite of brass with original patina, signed Pasquale Cittelli Milan n. 353, first decade of the 19th century, in good condition and co...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Antique Victorian Carved Oak Banjo Barometer by Maple & Co
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique Victorian banjo barometer in carved solid oak. This was made in London by Maple and Co, it dates from around the 1860-1880 period.
It is of amazing quality, beau...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Circa 1800 Swedish Gustavian Mahogany Barometer by Iohannes Lerra
Located in London, GB
A highly decorative Swedish Gustavian barometer dating from the 1800s by Iohannes Lerra.
The dial sits centrally in a mahogany wood frame with applied gilded scrolled leaf decorat...
Category
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
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
Vintage Electronic Instruments
Surveyor Measure
Antique North Arrow
Antique Medical Models
George Cook
Antique Scientific Microscopes Microscope Scientific Instruments
Address Numbers
Wwii German Binoculars
Optician Sign
Stick Barometer
Folding Camera
Antique Stick Barometers
Vintage Glass Barometer
Vintage French Barometer
French Mercury Barometer
German Telescope
Antique Wooden Gears
Antique Wooden Gear