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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 18th Century
Period: 17th Century
Period: 15th Century and Earlier
Period: 16th Century
David Beringer (1756-1821) Polyhedral Wooden Sundial
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
DAVID BERINGER (1756-1821)
The frui...
Category
Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
18th Century Carpenters Hand Plane Tool, Signed and Dated 1791
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rare Museum-level 18th Century carpenters tool, an antler hand plane, hand-carved to look like a lion. Signed with initials and dated 1791.
Category
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Nocturlabe Silver Metal Jacob Senebier Paris XVIII sec.
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
Nocturlabe in silver-plated and eng...
Category
1780s French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver Plate
A Wooden Diptical Sundial Germany 1790
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
Pocket sundial, made out of wood, ...
Category
Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
A Brass Butterfield Type Dial French Late 18th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
signed Pigeon A Lion, the octagonal dial with hinged gnomon and bird pointer, inset compass and engraved with hour scales, the reverse engraved with towns and their latitudes, 2¾in (...
Category
1790s French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A Brass Butterfield Type Dial French Early 18th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
signed Buterfield A Paris., the octagonal dial with hinged gnomon and bird pointer, inset compass and engraved with hour scales, the reverse engraved with towns and their latitudes, ...
Category
Early 18th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
18th Century Medical Syringe
Located in London, GB
18th Century Medical Syringe
For historical medical use and dating from the 18th century, and certainly from the beginning of the 18th century. This hand-crafted example is made to...
Category
1780s Unknown Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber
Bronze mortar, Veneto, 16th century
Located in Brescia, IT
Bronze mortar, Veneto, 16th century
Lost-wax cast bronze mortar with body outlined by parallel and succeeding frames delineating its circumference.
On the two faces, in a central p...
Category
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
French 18th Century Louis XVI Gilt Barometer
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 18th Century Louis XVI French gold-gilt barometer circa 1780. This early instrument of meteorology was used to measure atmospheric pressure and air temperature. The barometer is adorned with hand carved details; a large bow, flowers, a flaming heart, laurel leaves and scrolls. The dial face is hand-painted and has been repaired over time. The barometer is no longer in working order and is now purely decorative. Be sure to view the detailed images to see this interesting antique up...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Gold Leaf
Mortaio in bronzo, Veneto, XVI° secolo
Located in Brescia, IT
Mortaio in bronzo fuso a cera persa con corpo delineato da un gran numero di cornici parallele e susseguenti che ne delimitano la circonferenza; e ornato con motivi vegetali di deriv...
Category
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XVI Carved Giltwood Wall Barometer & Thermometer
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall with this elegant, antique barometer with attached thermometer. Crafted in Paris, France, circa 1760 and hexagonal in shape, the scientific instrument features its or...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood, Parchment Paper
Mortar with pestle. Bronze. Spanish school, 17th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Mortar with pestle. Bronze. Spanish school, 17th century.
Bronze mortar with a convex mouth, a raised base facing outwards and a cylindrical body decorated on the outside with relie...
Category
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Terrestrial globe apres Mr. Rizzi Zannoni, Paris 1762.
Located in Milan, IT
Designed to be hanged to the ceiling, terrestrial globe, made out of paper machè and wood, brass hook. It is reported in the cartouche of the globe: globe terrestre d’après Mr. Rizz...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
18th Century Louis XVI-Style Barometer in Gilded Wood adorned with Doves
Located in NICE, FR
We present you this exceptionally rare square-shaped Louis XVI-style barometer from the 18th century, crafted from gilded wood. Its pale blue wallpaper background is protected by co...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Alnmått (Cubit measure) in iron with gilded details. Baroque, dated 1731
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Alnmått (Cubit measure) in iron with gilded details. Baroque, dated 1731. Provenance: Baron Carl Emanuel Cederström, great collector during the mid-19th Century in Sweden.
W...
Category
1730s Swedish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Silver Brass Pocket Sundial Compass French, circa 1780
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
Silver brass octagonal dial with fo...
Category
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver, Brass
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London
Located in Martlesham, GB
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London, having a mahogany barrel with a thumb wheel to the side of the main barrel, supported on a solid brass tripod s...
Category
1780s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Italian 18th Century Balance, Scale
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very stunning 18th century balance - Scale from Rome, Italy. Beautifully crafted from polychromed and gilt wood. A wonderful accent piece for a library or office.
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Large Late 18th Century Hourglass
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
A large 18th century hour glass, o...
Category
Late 18th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Langlois Graphometer - Circa 1730
Located in Placerville, CA
This is a BEAUTIFUL Graphometer made by the premier instrument maker in France, Claude Langlois, after Bion and Butterfield had stopped making instruments.
As discussed on my Graphometer - Semicircle webpage, the French produced a good number of Graphometers from 1600 to about 1850. And a fair number of these Graphometers are still around. If you want to add a really nice Graphometer to your collection, this Langlois merits serious consideration for these reasons:
1. While not as well-known internationally as Bion and Butterfield, Langlois was The Man in France after Bion and Butterfield had passed away.
2. The President of Harvard College...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Jean Baptiste Van Lerberghe Theodolite - Circa 1700 to 1720
Located in Placerville, CA
This is a fascinating and unique Theodolite that is engraved as a Semicircle - only 180 degrees.
The Theodolite was made by Jean Baptiste Van Lerberghe of Bollezelle, France. Bo...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Oval with a ribbon bow over an oval glass fronted barometer with grisaille painted panel with metal directionals. Inscribed Selon Torricelli.
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Large 17th Century French Slate Octagonal Sundial
Located in Madrid, ES
A Large 17th century French Slate Octagonal Sundial
With wrought iron gnomon and profusely engraved with latin letters.Size:39x39 cm.With latter hanging ...
Category
Mid-17th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Slate
Italian 18th Century Butcher Hooks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Charming 18th century Butcher Hooks from the Piedmont region of Italy. Wonderfully crafted from hand forged iron. A perfect kitchen accessory or to s...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
An apothecary glass mortar and pestle, Italy 18th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Apothecary glass mortar, fitted with glass pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
A GERMAN ANATOMICAL MODEL OF a PREGNANT WOMAN STEPHEN ZICK
Located in Madrid, ES
A GERMAN ANATOMICAL MODEL OF A PREGNANT WOMAN STEPHEN ZICK
The woman with articulated arms, removable torso revealing internal organs, lying on a couch with cushion incised and modelled with simulated lace.On a later wood box.
Stephen Zick was one of a dynasty of carvers active from the late 16th to the 18th century in Nuremberg, . Such models, as well as carved skulls, were conceived as teaching tools and were inspired by the drawings of Andrea Vesalius...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Ventilatore Marelli, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
L'azienda nasce nel 1891 a Milano come ditta individuale per iniziativa di Ercole Marelli, operaio in gioventù alla Tecnomasio Italiana di Milano. Inizialmente l'azienda produceva di...
Category
1650s Italian Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
16th Century Cast Iron Mortar
Located in Brussels, Brussels
16th century cast iron mortar with two very beautiful handles
Beautiful original object with a great patina and in very good condition.
Category
16th Century French Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
An ivory diptical sundial, Italy XVII century.
Located in Milan, IT
An ivory portable diptych sundial. Italy circa 1600. (SHIP TO EU ONLY)
Category
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ivory
A wooden diptical sundial, England 1790.
Located in Milan, IT
Pocket sundial, made out of wood, with print paper element on both the internal sides and to the top. England end of XVIII cent.
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Bronze Pharmacy Mortar Italy-17° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant bronze mortar from the 17 century from Italy dated 1630.
Really rare mortar due to his big size.
In very good condition and beautiful patina.
Category
17th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Italian 18th Century Butcher Hooks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Charming 18th century Butcher Hooks from the Piedmont region of Italy. Wonderfully crafted from hand forged iron. A perfect kitchen accessory or to...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Italian 18th Century Butcher Hooks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Charming 18th century Butcher Hooks from the Piedmont region of Italy. Wonderfully crafted from hand forged iron. A perfect kitchen accessory or to s...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
French XVIII TH box microscope for the privilege of the King
Located in Madrid, ES
French XVIII TH box microscope by Sibie a Marsella for the privilege of the King
The box microscope can be defined as a compound microscope where the optic system is
fixed by a pilar...
Category
1750s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Rare 17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Medical Instrument Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare Japanese export lacquer medical instrument box
Edo-period, 1650-1700
L. 19 x W. 6 x H. 8.5 cm
This unconventionally shaped lacquer b...
Category
17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by German Beringer
Located in Milan, IT
Antique 18th Century Diptych Sundial and Compass a portable wooden boxwood sundial with compass, of German origin, by David Beringer, Nuremberg, dating back to the 1790 circa, in good age related condition, with signs of wear consistent with age and use.
David Beringer (1756 – 1821) was a German scientific instrument maker and craftsman active in Nuremberg and famous for his cubic wooden sundials visible in Metropolitan Museum of Art di New York.
A portable sundial...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique 16th Century Islamic Safavid Al Jazari Combination Locking Brass Casket
Located in Portland, OR
A highly important engraved Islamic combination locking brass casket, based on a design by the 12th Century Arab inventor & artist Ismail Al Jazari. Circa...
Category
16th Century Iraqi Islamic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Iron Hourglass, Germany, Early 1700s.
Located in Milan, IT
The hourglass cage displays hexagonal bases. Six smooth iron columns complete the cage. Inside the glass bulbs joined in the center by a ring of fabric and rope. Germany, early 1700s.
Category
Early 18th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Iron Hourglass, Germany Early 1700s
Located in Milan, IT
The hourglass cage displays octagonal bases, dressed in a red velvet cushion. Eight smooth iron columns complete the cage. Inside the glass bulbs joined in the center by a ring of fa...
Category
Early 18th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
18th Century Gold French Gilded Wood Barometer, Antique Parisian Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...
Category
Late 18th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
18th Century Parisian Giltwood Barometer Thermometer
Located in Dallas, TX
This lovely giltwood barometer and thermometer was hand-carved during the Louis XVI period in Paris, France. During the late 1700’s, barometers were typically only owned by wealthy f...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
18th Century French Louis XVI Period Gilded Barometer by Evangelista Torricelli
By Evangelista Torricelli
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, large antique French Louis XVI period barometer, signed by Torricelli in gilded wood and of oval shape with original scientific illustrations, in good condition. The detailed wall décor piece is consisting its original glass. Framed with gilt foliate trim and important pediment. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1750, France.
The Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Compass with Pocket Sundial, with Case, Bronze, Butterfield, Michael '1635-1724'
Located in Madrid, ES
Compass with pocket sundial, with case. Bronze. BUTTERFIELD, Michael (1635-1724). Paris, circa 1700.
Pocket sundial made of engraved metal, with a gno...
Category
Early 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Other
Ebonized Fruitwood and Brass-Mounted Siphon Tube Barometer
Located in Folkestone, GB
A rare unsigned ebonised fruitwood and brass-mounted siphon tube barometer. The barrel-shaped cistern base has the brass adjustment knob in the base and a gilt-brass collet at the to...
Category
Early 18th Century European Queen Anne Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Lacquer
Fossilized Horse Leg. Equus Sp., Pleistocene, Florida, USA
Located in Madrid, ES
A fossilized horse leg. Equus sp., Pleistocene, Florida, USA
This set of fossil horse bones dates from an extinct equine. The inter-locking bones are eleg...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bone
Portable Cube Sundial David Beringer circa 1780–1821 Beringer Is Best Known
Located in Madrid, ES
Portable cube sundial David Beringer circa 1780–1821
Beringer is best known for portable wooden sundials with scales printed on paper glued to the wood. These included cube dials an...
Category
1770s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
18th Century Stick Barometer by Nairne London
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An elegant 18th century satinwood and ebony stick barometer by Edward Nairne, London.
Nairne was a famous 18th century scientific instrument and barometer...
Category
18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
Bronze Mortar, Tuscany, Second Half of 16th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Bronze mortar with garlands, flowers and putti - Tuscany , second half of 17th century.
Measures: height 10
diameter : 13 cm
Artisans and healers used mortars for grinding food...
Category
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
17th Century Norther European Wrought Iron Pestle, 8.5 Inches
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual wrought iron pestle, most are bronze like most mortars. This one is at least 17th century, quite possibly dating to the Gothic period. I have owned two iron mortars in my ti...
Category
Early 17th Century German Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wrought Iron
16th century Spanish Bronze Mortar with Letters M on the Sides
Located in Marbella, ES
16th century Spanish Bronze Mortar with Letters M on the Sides
Category
16th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Italian Bronze Pestle for a Mortar, 9 Inches Long
Located in Stamford, CT
If you've got the mortar, I have the pestle! There are so many mortars out there, and so few pestles. It's nice to have both. Here is your opportunity to marry this large scale pestl...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
Bronze Mortar with Pestle, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mortar with hand. Bronze. XVII century.
Mortar with a circular base, cylindrical body and slightly outwardly flared mouth, decorated with a series of smooth horizontal moldings arranged both in the lower and upper areas and with simple vertical elements (which still maintain slight balustraded shapes) derived from of the ribs that these specimens used to have in the medieval Spanish...
Category
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Other
Very Rare Wind Vane Dial in the Manner of Whitehurst
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A George III period carved mahogany wind vane dial. The silvered engraved dial with all the points of a compass housed in the finely carved mahogany frame, ...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
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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