Skip to main content

Scientific Instruments

4
110
to
11
78
26
110
110
110
29
11
6
142
595
904
7
416
321
67
42
44
48
39
62
39
29
9
1
60
40
35
16
13
70
17
17
14
12
3
1
1
1
1
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 1950s
Period: 1910s
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

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

Atomic structure for educational use of carbonic acid Czechoslovakia 1950s.
Located in Milan, IT
Struttura atomica ad uso didattico dell'acido carbonico (H2CO3) in metallo, sfere in bachelite verniciate rosso e nero. Czechoslovakian manufacture of the 1950s. Good condition sign...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Struttura molecolare del cloruro di sodio ad uso didattico Cecoslovacchia 1950
Located in Milan, IT
Struttura molecolare del cloruro di sodio (NaCl) ad uso didattico in metallo satinato e verniciato giallo, sfere in bachelite verniciate verde e grigio. Manifattura cecoslovacca de...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

20th Century Soviet Cold War Anti Aircraft Binoculars c.1950
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An impressive set of highly polished Cold War-era anti-aircraft binoculars from the former USSR, crafted in the 20th Century. Accompanied by a sleek and adjustable metal tripod, thes...
Category

1950s Russian Other Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

Didactic atomic structure of zinc-iron sulfide Czech production 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Atomic structure for educational use of zinc-iron sulfide, made of metal with Bakelite spheres painted gray and yellow. It is an inorganic compound found naturally in wurtzite, a mi...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Didactic atomic structure of graphite made Czech manufacture circa 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Atomic structure for educational use of graphite made metal with black Bakelite spheres. Czechoslovakian manufacture of the 1950s. Good condition, Measures 28x28x20 cm - inches 11...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

English Porcelain Mortar and Pestle #7
Located in Garnerville, NY
Porcelain mortar and pestle. Signed on the underside with the size #7, Acid Proof, Made in England. Wood handled pestle. Great for use in the kitchen, artist's studio or office. It d...
Category

1950s English Rustic Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paste, Porcelain

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

CURTA Type II Mechanical Calculator
Located in Mexico City, MX
An important CURTA Type II mechanical calculator by Cortina Ltd. Mauren. Made in Liechtenstein, manufactured in april 1954. Serial number 503108. Black body with 11 digits for data e...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Kilgore Authentic Anatomical Preparation Human Skull
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Prepared by legendary medical supply company Kilgore International, this is an advanced anatomical reference human skull! An exceptional authentic vint...
Category

1950s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bone

Mappin Paris 1950 Retro Multiuse Money Clip Sun Clock And Compass In Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Multiuse Money Clip Sun Clock And Compass designed by Mappin-Paris. Very unusual multiuse money clip, created in France by Mappin-Paris back in the 1950. In great shape and very ver...
Category

1950s French Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Silver

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

Tellurium mechanical/electrical model of the solar system Phiwe Italian 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Tellurium, i.e., mechanical/electrical model representative of the solar system, made of metal with green and gray hammered paint, lithographed tin globe, plastic Moon, and metal bas...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

Pair Of Vintage Cased Opera Glasses, French, Brass, Binocular, Mid 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage cased opera glasses. A French, brass and Mother of Pearl Galilean binocular, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

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

Anemometer 1950 Coal Mining Vintage Science Equipment in Brass and Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Mechanical desk anemometer in brass. Very interesting scientific coal mining anemometer, made up back in the 1950's with brass and blackened steel parts...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel, Iron

Marine Compass in Box by Star Compass of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass boat compass fitted to a dovetailed wood box with rich varnished finish. Compass card is marked Star Pathfinder, Milton Mass. The entir...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Austrian Vintage Barometer in Heart Shape by Wippel & co
Located in Vienna, AT
rare austrian vintage barometer in heart shape by Wippel & co, rosewood, good original condition
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, 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

Vintage Brass Telescope on Walnut Tripod Stand
Located in North York, ON
Vintage brass telescope on walnut tripod stand. Sold as is for decorative purposes. Country of origin and manufacturer unknown. Estimated age c...
Category

1950s Unknown Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Thermometer by Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern-Period, sterling silver thermometer in working condition, Tiffany and Company, New York, circa 1950s. Works are made by...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver

Mid-Century Modern Industrial Explosion Proof Phone by Crouse-Hinds C1955
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Rare and unusual industrial explosion proof telephone by Crouse-Hinds from the 50s. Cast aluminum with a bakelite style phone. No dial. Supposed to be from a blasting site. Untested....
Category

1950s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

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

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Vintage Erskine 200 Sterilized Barber Shop Shaving Brush
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage ERSKINE 200 Sterilized Barber Shop SHAVING BRUSH Nylon Bristles Rubber Stamped Sterile 200 4.5 tall x 1.38 diameter Preowned original vintage...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nylon, Rubber

Big Mid-Century Modern Atomic Molecular Wood Sculpture, 1950s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Large wooden sculpture that represents an atom, a super decorative object full of history since this type of piece was used in the old science classes, suffering great wear and tear ...
Category

1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

1950s Mid-Century Modern Olympia Sm-3 Portable Typewriter with Case
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Olympia SM3 portable typewriter with the original metal case. Circa 1950s. Features a Qwerty keyboard, a grayish green color body with chrome trims and the original metal case with a galvanized-like finish and the original lock key. Olympia SMs were once considered the Mercedes Benz of typewriters. The Hermes 3000...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

1950s Dutch Industrial Scientific Convex Lens Brass Stand Cast Iron Tripod Base
Located in Haarlem, NL
Scientific school or laboratory convex shaped lens on a brass stand with cast iron tripod base. The heavy convex glass lens is 7 1/2 cm (2.95") th...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

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

1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Rope Barometer. French Work by Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very unusual barometer is made of rope. This is a French work by Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet. circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rope

Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sheaffer fountain pen, circa 1950. Manufactured by Sheaffers In original condition, with some visible signs of previous use and age, preserving a beautiful patina. Materials...
Category

1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

20th Century Made in Japan Brass Opera Binocular, 1950s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice opera binocular from the 50s in its original fabric pouch and box. Made of brass. Removable handle using a small key. Adjustment of the view thanks to a wheel at the fron...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Anatomical Plaster Medical Torso Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century anatomical plaster medical torso figure This early 20th century life size anatomical medical torso would have originally been used as...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Detailed Anatomical Ear Model Made in East Germany by Somso
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the midcentury Organon Auditus Anatomical Model by Somso, a true masterpiece in the world of anatomical models! This amazing model, made in former East Germany, features ...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic, Wood

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

1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Three-Dimensional Anatomical Midcentury Wall Plaster Sculpture, Germany, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury three-dimensional anatomical plaster painting representing human respiratory system, provenance Hygiene Museum Dresden with museum sticker ...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Modernist Atomic 1950s Television by Olympic, Tambour Doors "rocket tuner"
By Olympus
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super Rare! Modernist Atomic 1950s Television by Olympic, Tambour doors "new rocket tuner" Probably one of the best designed T.V'S I...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Plastic, Wood, Mahogany

Wood and Brass Apothecary Scale, 1950s
Located in Felino, IT
Precision apothecary scale, 1940s-1950s. Wooden base with drawer, brass instruments. Original set of weights included. Functioning.
Category

1950s European Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

Three-Dimensional Midcentury Anatomical Wall Plaster Sculpture, Germany, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury three-dimensional anatomical plaster painting, provenance Hygiene Museum Dresden with museum sticker label, Germany 1950s. Please note tha...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Gucci Rare Barometer and Clock Year 1960 Vintage Design
Located in Biella, IT
Gucci rare barometer and clock year 1960 vintage design. Measure h 17 inches x L12" x deep 3".
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, 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.

Recently Viewed

View All