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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 1940s
Period: 1910s
Charles and Ray Eames Molded Plywood Leg Splint for Evans in Original Wrapper
Located in Chicago, IL
These leg splints were designed by Charles and Ray Eames and produced for the United States Navy by the Evans Products Company, molded plywood division. They're still in their origin...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plywood

Antique Art Nouveau Barometer, Sheraton Inlaid Aneroid Barometer, Scotland, 1910
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Art Nouveau barometer, Sheraton inlaid aneroid barometer, Scotland 1910, H143 Scotland, 1910 Solid Walnut and veneer The Walnut case is inlaid with exotic fruitwood Porcelai...
Category

1910s Scottish Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Antique English Folding Brass Compass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A brass folding pocket compass which is made also to be added to a chain or ribbon to be worn around the neck. The lens has a good magnification and in lovey condition. Dating to c...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass by F.Darton & Co - 1917
Located in Bath, GB
A good nickel plated WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass signed on the front cover F.Darton & Co, London, VI, No. 2461 together with the date 1917 and the war office "crow'...
Category

1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nickel

Small Antique English Brass Magnifying Glass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely little magnifying glass made from solid brass with a handle; the perfect size to pop in the pocket or bag. Dating to c.1910, Edwardian in era, the magnifier works well and ...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

20th Century Japanese Pair Of Naval Bridge "Big Eye" Binoculars By Nikon c.1940
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare set of Japanese naval bridge “big eye“ binoculars by Nikon manufactured during WWII by Tokyo Kogaku Kikai (Tokyo Optical Company). They have been expertly cleaned and hand pol...
Category

1940s Japanese Other Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak 1910s Belgium High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design wit...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By Grand Bazar
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By Grand Bazar 1910s Liege Belgium High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Chrome-plated brass and leather telescope signed W. OTTWAY from the first war 1915
Located in Milan, IT
Chrome-plated brass and leather telescope signed W. OTTWAY & Co Ltd Ealing London A49 in use by British Army officers during World War I. Single-length focus, focal diameter cm 3...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut C. Engel & Cie Verviers
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Verviers Belgium by C. Engel & Cie Opticiens Verviers High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Early 19th Century Negretti and Zambra Bakelite Weather Forecaster
Located in Norwich, GB
19th century Negretti and Zambra Bakelite Weather Forecaster. Housed in a black metal case with a cream coloured bakelite front plate. The dial with barometer scale, hand turned indicator and a secondary dial operated by the side lever to set the wind direction...
Category

1910s English Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

Small brass compass supplied to the US army during ww2
Located in Milan, IT
Small brass travel compass, issued to the U.S. Army during World War I, shaped like an onion pocket watch, an instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate in a horizon...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Pair WW1 Binoculars - British Officer's Issue by LeMaire, Paris
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous pair of French made World War 1 British Officers Military binoculars with both the brass on the binoculars and the leather case with the British military crows foot mark. ...
Category

1910s French Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By R. Krengel 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By R. Krengel 1910s Eupen Belgium High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut G.Tart Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Liege Belgium by G.Tart. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design ...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

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 ...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

WW1 1918 British Army Officer's Compass - Verner's Patent MK VII by French Ltd.
Located in Bath, GB
This is an excellent original example of the MK VII. It is fully functioning, has a brass case and is mounted with lanyard ring. The glass face and numbered brass outer ring are perf...
Category

1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Carved Wooden G.Tart Liege Antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden G Tart Liege antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order. With best Wishes, Geert...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Keuffel & Esser Co. Surveyor's Transit
Located in Savannah, GA
A 1912 Keuffel & Esser Co. railroad surveyor's transit. Includes outfitted mahogany case. All original with matching serials. Approximately 70 inches tall with a 24 inch leg sprea...
Category

1910s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard
Located in Udenhout, NL
Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard, in a good state.
Category

1940s Belgian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Slate

Pair Of Large Antique Italian Globes
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair Of Large Antique Italian Globes Large pair of terrestrial and celestial globes from Italy 1940s. The globes are in good conditio...
Category

1940s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique Camera / Enlarger Circa 1910s
Located in Wallkill, NY
Early Wooden Antique Camera / Enlarger Circa 1910s Please look at the photos, this has not been touched in decades. It is just the way you would like to find it, untouched. True anti...
Category

1910s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

US Navy Mark 74 Aiming Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
1943 United States Navy Telescope. Used primarily as part of the Mark 16 Aiming System on 50 caliber anti-aircraft gun mounts. Fitted with three sun filters...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Pair Antique French Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses circa 1910, Lorgnette Handle
Located in Bath, GB
A splendid pair of late Victorian Opera / Theatre glasses professionally re-polished to gleam, making them as good as they would have looked over 100 y...
Category

1910s French Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1916s Pocket Magnetic Compass for the Raf Officers Antique Surveyor Measurement
Located in Milan, IT
Pocket compass for the RAF officers, signed F. Darton & Co London V n. 77824 1916 made of brass chrome in the shape of a pocket watch. The compass has a snap-on cover with release button inside the ring. Twelve-winds compass card. Very good condition fully functional. Diameter 4.5 cm - 1.77 inches, thickness 1.5 cm - 0.59 inches. Shipping is insured by Lloyd's London; our gift box is free. The first hints in Europe on the use of instruments using...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Ships Compass by John Hand of Philadelphia
Located in Norwell, MA
Wing bridge compass from a United States Navy vessel. The gray military paint has been stripped and the entire binnacle and compass have been meticulously polished and lacquered. The...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique German aneroid barometer from the early 1900s made of turned marble.
Located in Milan, IT
Antique German aneroid barometer from the early 1900s made of turned marble, brass, and glass. Good state. Working order. Diameter cm 17 - inches 6.7, thickness cm 5- inches 1.9...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble

Antique Salter Family Scales No 50 a Well Loved and Used Family Scales
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Antique Salter Family Scales  No 50 A well loved and used Family Scales, made by Salter, the cast iron body is in Dark green with Gold highlights, it has...
Category

1940s Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Original vintage scale from the 20th Century 'Designed by Berkel in Belgium'
Located in Udenhout, NL
Original personal scale from 1946 designed by Berkel in Belgium. (Made in Brussels.) Very nice Industrial decorative object.
Category

1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Dirigo of Seattle Washington. The entire gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrumen...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Fine Pair Golden Guilloche Enamel and Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses, c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Pretty as a picture and in outstanding condition, this lovely pair of early twentieth century opera glasses come complete with their original case (wear commensurate with age). Th...
Category

1910s French Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine i...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Star Compass of Boston. The gimballed yacht compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This Classic marine instrument is fi...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted to its or...
Category

1940s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This Classic marine i...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mills Novelty Art Deco Green Porcelain Penny Scale
Located in Ferndale, MI
Art Deco period penny scale by Mills Novelty co. Period green porcelain pedestal with cream colored foot hold.
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Naudet & Co. 1915-1916 Paris World War I French Aviation Altimeter Militaire
Located in Miami, FL
World War I French aviation altimeter made by Naudet & Co. Antique French aviation altimeter designed specifically for aviation, and dating to th...
Category

1910s French Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Star Compass of Boston. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted t...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early 20th century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted to its origina...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine i...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

English Edwardian Prosthetic Leg
Located in London, GB
Edwardian Prosthetic leg We share what we love, and we love this unusual fully articulated Edwardian prosthetic leg. With leather hip support sprung...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Large 1940s Vintage Industrial Apothecary Laboratory Teaching Scale Balance
Located in Lafayette, IN
Rare 1940's vintage large-scale teaching scale/balance. Scale stands a massive 50" tall and was originally used as an instructional scale in a Purdue University lab (hence the large ...
Category

1940s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel, Iron

Italian Mid-Century Medical Laboratory Bed Brown Leather and White Metal, 1940s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Medical laboratory bed brown leather and white metal, 1940s Medical laboratory bed with cream white painted metal structure. The backrest, footrest and seat are ...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Carved Wooden Antique French Barometer with Thermometer, Number 9432 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden antique French barometer with thermometer Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order. Number 9432 ...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

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

Vintage Mid-Century Globe Meat Slicer C1940 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

Enamel, Steel, Chrome, Iron, Stainless Steel

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

1917 Waymouth Cooke Naval Rangefinder Sextant
Located in San Mateo, CA
Naval range finder made by Waymouth-Cooke of London. These were based on the principals of a sextant range finder. They were patented in 1914. The Mark II like this one came out in 1...
Category

1910s English Other Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

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

Large Vintage Scientific Botanical Plant 3d Educational Leaf Cross-Section Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
1940's leaf cross-section model by Denoyer-Geppert of Chicago, Illinois. Model stands 19" tall and features Hand-painted details with excellent original...
Category

1940s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rubber

Antique Pulley Hook in Metal, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Metal Pulley Hook, by unknown manufacturer, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materials: Metal ...
Category

1940s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

1910s Doctors' Medical Scale Mechanical Stand Up with Weights
Located in New York, NY
1910s antique Industrial stand up doctors' scale. Features height indicator and a movable weights with great old paint. Please note, this item is located in one of our NYC locations.
Category

1910s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Trade Scale Wood and Metal, France, circa 1940
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the 1940's in France. It was used to weigh food. Oak Shipping: L50 P57 H28 18,1Kg.
Category

1940s French Napoleon III Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Vintage Plaster Anatomical Skull Model
Located in Houston, TX
Interesting vintage plaster anatomical skull model. This great plaster skull bust model is in very good condition and dates to the 1940s. A real conver...
Category

1940s Other Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Large Antique Solid Brass Library Telescope by Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co
Located in Montreal, QC
Large Antique Solid Brass Library Telescope by Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co Marked: '' 63 Farringdon Rd London EC. Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co''
Category

1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Large Vintage Scientific Plant 3D Educational Monocot Stem Cross-Section Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
1940's Monocot stem cross-section model by Denoyer-Geppert of Chicago, Illinois. Model measures 20.5" long and features Hand-painted details with excellent original patina!
Category

1940s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rubber

Bronze Sculptural Thermometer, Long Bodied Lady, Artist Signed and Dated 1911
Located in Petaluma, CA
It wasn't easy trying to title this bronze in one sentence. The first thing about it to my eye is the wonderful whimsy displayed. The fact that it's a thermometer just adds to the jo...
Category

1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

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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