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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: Early 20th Century
Antique Three Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Terrestrial, Ross, Edwardian, 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique three draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial refractor by Ross of London, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Perfe...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Sunshine Recorder by Casella of London
Located in London, GB
A Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder, attributed to Casella & Co, circa 1910.
Mounted on a later wooden display plinth.
Marked with serial number...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Anatomical Model of the Upper Limbs, Italy 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, didactic use, depicting the upper limb tilting on a fork supported by a black lacquered wooden base.
Made in plaster and finished entirely in colour. F...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Scagliola
Wwi Era Ship’s Compass by Heath & Co
Located in London, GB
WWI era Patrol type ship’s wet card compass by Heath & Co Ltd, London.
10" gimble mount in oak case, with rotating prism.
No: 59.
Heath & Co Ltd, Scientific instrument ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Pluviometer Set, English, Copper, Meteorological, Rain Gauge, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pluviometer set. An English, copper and glass meteorological rain gauge, dating to the Victorian period and later, circa 1900.
...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Gorgeous Edwardian Inlaid Barometer by George Odell
Located in Dublin, IE
A gorgeous quality Edwardian inlaid mahogany barometer by George Odell, with beautiful marquetry detail of fan and shell motifs.
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Antique Telescope, English, Silvered Brass, Dennis of London, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a long antique telescope. An English, silvered brass single draw refractor by Dennis of London, dating to the early Victorian period and later, circa 1850.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky.
Superior length telescope with appealing finish and personal inscription
Displaying a desirable aged patina throughout
Silvered brass presents bright, reflective tones
Bright objective with large 55mm diameter — some marks to lens edge
Front element protected by sliding sun shade
Removable dust cover encloses the element when not in use
Primary barrel dressed distinctively in a later, quality faux crocodile cover...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism 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 French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality mahogany banjo barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Having a quality mahogany shaped banjo barometer with scroll shaped carving ci...
Category
1880s Scottish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument. By putting two electrically neutral spheres in contact with each other, when a charged wand is approached, it is possible to notice...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold, Brass
19th Century French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A household and marketplace classic, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weigh fruits...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron
Italian Telegraph in Solid Brass, 1880
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian Telegraph in solid brass, 1880.
Category
1880s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Dryad Wooden Paper Guillotine
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large dryad wooden paper Guillotine
Well used and still working well, the makers name is in the centre of the front, all in good used condition,
...
Category
Early 20th Century International Style Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
Apothecary Stills, Italy, 1800
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of antique stills in blown glass from a pharmacy laboratory, mounted on a coeval wooden base in the shape of a parallelepiped. Italy around 1800.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Brass Merchants Scale
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian brass merchants scale with square glass tray, round brass tray, and inset oval mirror.
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Barometer Regulates and Base in Semi-Precious Stone Representing a Cello Player
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Barometer regulates and base in semi-precious stone representing a Cello player in antique.
Measures: H 20cm, W 10cm.
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
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
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut 1910s
By A. de Lambert
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Belgium by A. de Lambert. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)
Unusual design with high relief C-scrolls and flowers in Rococo style (from theArt Nouveau' period) with a lovely walnut case/. Equipment in full working order.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any further questions.
With best wishes, Geert
Early Bird Gallery...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
19th C Anatomical Didactic Model of a Torso with Removable Organs
Located in Leuven , BE
The German sculpture Franz Josef Steger (1845-1938), under the guidance of Professor Wilhelm His (1831-1904) and based on the designs of anatomist Car...
Category
19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Sterling Silver Case Containing Two Lancets Birmingham, 1853
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This very attractive and well made sterling silver case with a hinged lid, contains two steel bladed lancets which were used by doctors for bloodletting, applying vaccines or drainin...
Category
1850s English Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Sterling Silver
W.& T. Avery Brass/ Cast Iron Beam Scale
By W & T Avery
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a W & T Avery makers brass and cast iron beam scale. The top of the pillar, is adorned with cast iron scrolls and a heart. There is one brass pan a...
Category
Early 20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Set of 2 Early 20th Century Metal Feet Heaters
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique metal feet heaters.
Made in Spain by unknown manufacturer, circa 1900.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patin...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism 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 French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Antique Richter's Anchor Box, German, Stone, Anker Baukasten, Number 15, Set
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Richter's Anchor Box. A German, stone Anker Baukasten No. 15 or construction set, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1890.
Highly collectible German construction set from Friedrich Richter
Displays a desirable aged patina — lovingly play worn
Sought after stone pieces, with few, minor chips to corners
Aged box with fine paper lithography to both sides
This 'grosse kaliber' set comprises 296 pieces at 25mm scale
Pieces imitate the red brick, limestone and blue slate of contemporary European architecture
Create a wide range of architectural styles including Baroque influenced buildings
Several instruction manuals included to help create fantastic scenes
This is a wonderful, lovingly played with antique Richter's Anchor Box. In sought after stone, this number 15...
Category
Late 19th Century Albanian Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Cast Stone
Antique Officer of the Watch Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Astronomical, Ross
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique officer of the watch telescope. An English, leather and nickel silver single draw refractor for terrestrial or astronomical use, by Ross of London, circa 1920.
...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Leather
A bleeding set signed Blackwell, England 1850.
Located in Milan, IT
Travelling mahogany case set for bleeding, brass apparatuses for bleeding and glass cups. Signed Blackwell London, 1850 ca.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Set of Three Antique Glass Bottles and Containers
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Early 20th century set of three antique apothecary glass bottles.
By unknown manufacturer, Spain.
In original condition, with minor wear cons...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Rococo Style Carved Walnut, 1910s
By A. de Lambert
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Belgium by A. de Lambert. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)
Unusual design...
Category
1910s Belgian Rococo Revival Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Industrial Design Science Vintage Black Cast Iron Dentist Machine 19th Century
Located in Vienna, AT
19th Century Industrial design black cast iron dentist machine circa 1890 Austria.
Museums worthy best Industrial design dentist machine from black cast iron body and brass details ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron
Antique British Medical Sterilizer with Original Burner, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique British medical sterilizer with original burner, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
Antique Pharmacist's Medicine Cup, English, Glass, Apothecary Measure, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pharmacist's medicine cup. An English, glass and leather apothecary measure, dating to the Victorian period, circa 19000.
A fa...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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
Georgian Rare Steel Cased Tuning Fork
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very unusual and rare Georgian antique steel cased tuning fork dating from around 1800. A wonderful piece of musical interest and history the tuning fork...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
19th Century R. & J. Beck Stereoscope
By R.&J. Beck 1
Located in Norwood, NJ
Museum quality tabletop Stereoscope by British maker R. & J. Beck London. It is fitted with with adjustable rack and pinion focusing and elevation adjustment for ease of viewing. Eac...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Library Barometer 1914
Located in Norwell, MA
Brass barometer by Taylor of Rochester, NY. Patent date of August 18, 1914. Face is printed "stormy", "change", "very dry", "rain", "fair", etc.. Brass mounting ring. Circa 1914.
Category
1910s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for weighing scale
A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustme...
Category
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
French 19th Century Barometer
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th painted and gold gilt barometer and thermometer. It is a recognizable ‘banjo’ shaped scientific instrument with all the carved details in gold ...
Category
19th Century French Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Tall Finely Hand Carved Oak & Porcelain Antique Wall Barometer Made in Amsterdam
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning design Dutch Arts and Crafts era barometer and thermometer.
It even comes with a small gilt brass maker's plaque inside the barometer window that reads W.J. Lauwers, Grav...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments
Materials
Zinc, Brass
Antique Two-Plate Scale, Wood, Copper and Brass
Located in Houston, TX
Antique two-plate scale, wood, copper and brass, early 1900s. This culinary scale comes with 3 weights. Very decorative for any kitchen decor.
Measur...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper, Iron
Vernier Protractor by Newton & Co of London
Located in London, GB
A mid 19th century brass Vernier protractor by Newton & Co of London.
With two screw in fixing points.
Signed: Newton & Co 3, Fleet St, London
Marked with Broad-Arrow: WD 5679.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Set of a Barometer and a Clock, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of a barometer and a clock, 19th century
Set of a barometer and a clock in carved wood, from the 19th century, Louis XVI style, Napoleon III period, great decoration.
The mechanism of the clock is missing, but it is possible on request to put an old clock...
Category
1870s European Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th Century Spanish Pharmacy Bottle Made with Blowing Technique
Located in Marbella, ES
18th century Spanish Pharmacy bottle made with blowing technique.
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Holland Circle by Baumann and Kinzelbach
Located in New Orleans, LA
This intriguing item is almost certainly a Holland Circle by German scientific instrument makers Baumann & Kinzelbach. The Holland Circle, sometimes referred to as a Dutch Circle, was used in land surveying and is a precursor to the theodolite, an optical instrument for measuring angles. Baumann and Kinzelbach were based in Stuttgart, Germany, and in addition to crafting surveying instruments...
Category
19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Culinary Scale from Lyon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large kitchen / culinary scale made in Lyon, France, circa 1880. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and product...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
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
Lithographic Print on Paper, Depicting the Male Genital System, France 1850 Ca
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical lithographic print on paper, depicting the male genital system. Black lacquered fir wood frame with golden ramin wood batting. N. H. Jacob, Pari...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Coffee Grinder from Peugeot Freres Mod A0
Located in Roma, IT
Rarissimo modello A0 creato alla fine dell'800, conservato, non restaurato nel suo colore originale, costruito in ghisa e cassetti in legno funzionanti nel meccanismo della mola.
Man...
Category
Late 19th Century French Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Set of Three Antique Glass Bottles and Containers
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Early 20th century set of three antique apothecary glass bottles.
By unknown manufacturer, Spain.
In original condition, with minor wear c...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Cased Pair of Max and Minimum Temperature Thermometers
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A super set of experiment quality patent Negretti and Zambra max and min thermometers in the original mahogany case one with mercury ant other with alcohol
from the collection of...
Category
19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Ornate 19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett & Son, Bristol.
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Ornate 19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett & Son, Bristol.
This is a very ornate set of Scales in cast iron they would have been used for weighing sacks of many agr...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Whimshurst Machine by Voltana
Located in London, GB
Whimshurst machine by Voltana, Germany, circa 1920.
With retailers label: Gustave van Begin of Brussels - instruments scientifique Gustave van Begin Bruxelles.
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Large 24 Piece Antique Mechanical Drafting Set & Original Fitted Metal Case
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial antique mechanical drafting set most likely originates from Germany and dates to approximately 1900 and done in the period Edwa...
Category
Early 20th Century German Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Baume Mercier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Wristwatch & Bracelet & Original Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique ladies wristwatch was made by the well known Baume et Mercier of Switzerland in approximately 1920 in their period style. The wa...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism 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 French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Tate's double acting vacuum pump by Townson & Mercer, of London.
Located in London, GB
A Tate's double acting vacuum pump by Townson & Mercer, of Bishopsgate, London. circa 1890.
With glass bell jar, 7 inch diameter.
Literature:
Catalogue of chemical apparatus and pure chemicals sold by Townson & Mercer. 1888. Page: 228.
Nineteenth-century Scientific Instruments, Gerard L'Estrange Turner, 1893. Page 101.
Townson & Mercer, 89 Bishopsgate Street Within, London. Established 1798.
Thomas Turner Tate (1807 - 1888). invented his pattern of a double piston air pump...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Large Antique Library Telescope, English, Starboy, Astronomical, Broadhurst & Co
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique library telescope. An English, brass 'Starboy' astronomical mounted refractor by Broadhurst, Clarkson & Co, dating to the early 20...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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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