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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 1920s
Period: Late 18th Century
Piccola bussola da viaggio in ottone con coperchio manifattura francese anni '20
Located in Milan, IT
Piccola bussola da viaggio in ottone con coperchio, strumento costituito da un ago calamitato libero di ruotare su un piano orizzontale segnando la direzione del Nord magnetico.
Ros...
Category
1920s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Folding Brass Linen Thread Counter c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
Dating to the early twentieth century, c.1900/1920, this is an antique cast brass linen thread counter, of course usable to magnify whatever you wish.
Heavy solid cast brass with a ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Pocket Magnifying Glass / Loop With Compass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A charming little folding loop or magnifying glass made from brass, dating to the early twentieth century, c.1920.
What of course makes it highly collectable is the inset working co...
Category
1920s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Antique English Brass Cased Folding Magnifying Glass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely shaped little folding / pocket magnifying glass which folds into a shaped brass case, marked "Made In England".
Dating to c.1920, remaining in excellent condition measuring...
Category
1920s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Fine Pair French Abalone & Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning pair of French Opera glasses made from gilded brass, all intact and original. The glasses are clad in alternating Mother of Pearl or Nacre shell...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage 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
Large 1920's Globe on Wood Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Vintage Globe on Wood Base, circa 1920's
Decorate an office or a desk with this beautifully preserved antique globe. Crafted in Europe, circa 1920's this piece is mounted on a...
Category
1920s European Biedermeier Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Ships Telephone On Pedesta
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished brass ships telephone on pedestal. Meticulously polished andl lacquered head by Hose-McCann Telephone Co, Inc., Brooklyn New York. Type A, model WTP, with phone insid...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Aluminum Teaching Dental Phantom Head Skull on Stand Gold Tooth 1920's
Located in Portland, OR
Antique aluminum dental phantom teaching head model with a gold tooth, 1920's.
A wonderful fun sculptural dental phantom, the aluminum head with lower...
Category
1920s German Brutalist Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Gold, Steel
Early Twentieth Century Boat Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass boat compass in varnished wood box. Highly polished and lacquered finish. By M.C. & Co, Polaris.
Dimension: 4"H x 6"W x 6"D
Weight: 2 lbs.
Made: America
Material: Brass,...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Seibert Witzlar Microscope, app. 1920
Located in Hoogeveen, NL
Beautiful antique microscope by German manufacturer of precision equipement Seibert Witzlar. Was made around 1920. It was the microscope brand of ch...
Category
1920s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
Black Forest Style Carved Walnut Barometer, Germany, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest style carved walnut barometer, Germany, ca. 1920.
An impressive carved walnut barometer with masterfully carved flowers and leaves. A small mirror on the top of the roun...
Category
1920s German Black Forest Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Walnut
Antique World Globe From Fleet Street London 1923 on Wooden Stand
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Antique Terrestrial Geographia of Fleet Street London 12"inch World Globe on handcrafted Wooden Three Legged Base 1923
Made 55 Fleet Street, London
Beautiful desktop globe, sho...
Category
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
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
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
Vintage French Hour Sand Glass in Pewter
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Pewter and Sand 15 Minutes Hour Glass
Category
1920s French Folk Art Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Pewter
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
Austrian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is a beautiful antique solid brass mortar and pestle set. The mortar has a cylindrical shape with a flared mouth and two angular handles at the sides. The baton-shaped pestle...
Category
1920s Austrian Hollywood Regency Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Calcolatrice Addizionatrice Merchant, Anni 20
Located in Felino, IT
calcolatrice addizionatrice. Marchant mod hs8-36961 del 1920 c.a in ottimo stato di conservazione. pare funzionare, ma non ne garantisco l'utilizzabilita' totale. i meccanismi comunq...
Category
1920s European Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
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
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 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
Set of Four Vintage Weights, circa 1920
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of four vintage weights: 5, 2, 1 and a half kilograms. By unknown manufacturer, circa 1920.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with...
Category
1920s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Oak Cased Barograph by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Negretti & Zambra
Fine Edwardian oak cased barograph with bevelled glass panels and central chart drawer.
Ten vacuum chambers linking ...
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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
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
18th Century Silver Pocket Compass by J&W Watkins
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An 18th century silver pocket compass signed by Watkins Charing cross, London
The enamel compass rose finely segmented
Marked TH and dated 1787.
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
Antique French Louis XVI Period Signed Carcano Wall Barometer
By Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent nearly 250 year old Louis XVI period (1774–1793) hand carved and painted parcel gilt French wall thermometer and barometer signed Carcano.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in Paris, France in the second half of the 18th century, exceptionally executed in Neoclassical inspired opulent period King Louis 16th taste. Impressive large size and fine quality craftsmanship, richly detailed, sculpted, polychrome decorated wooden case, surmounted by an ornate carved pineapple topped urn finial, garnished with a single garland swag, over a contoured and rounded solid wood frame creating a most elegant elongated banjo cartel clock silhouette, adorned with brilliant water gilded running ornamentation, outlining the beautifully aged light and airy muted pale green paint finish.
Featuring the original hand decorated enamel dial signed Antonio Carcano (1755-1820) a distinguished scientific instrument inventor.
The dial is signed:
"Jofeph"
"Carcano"
"Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis"
"Fripiere au phenix"
Having a hand-blown glass thermometer retaining remnants of the hand-painted paper label inscribed with atmospheric condition details, over an early barometer with hand painted dial and metal hands, protected behind convex glazed glass face.
Mechanical:
The wooden planked verso is fitted with an open channel that retains the original mechanical components, including a pair of liquid metal mercury filled glass tubes, vacuum mechanism, long column blown glass tube, stringing, and more. It does not appear to be working / operational, the string/rope deteriorating with age, etc.. but having the original parts is an exceptionally rare occurrence and highly unusual, as workings were commonly damaged and lost centuries ago.
Dimensions (approx):
43" High, 12" Wide, 2.5" Deep
History:
Antoine Carcano (c. 1755-1820)
An early maker of barometers, thermometers, and an inventor of various scientific instruments. Of Italian descent, he became famous in Paris, first at 37 rue de la Roquette and then at Place Dauphine. He supplied barometers and other scientific instruments to the Ecole Militaire in 1786; the following year he supplied a tube barometer to British optical instruments manufacturer Peter Dollond (1731-1821). During the Empire his clientele included Sir Benjamin Thompson...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Blown Glass, Giltwood, Paint, Wood
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
Scientific Tool for the Refraction of Light, Italy 1920
Located in Milan, IT
Scientific tool for demonstrating and assessing the refraction of light. Constructed in boxed metal with a square section, it consists of a horizontal...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Baker's Scale
Located in Houston, TX
French Baker's scale. This antique cast iron baker's scale includes original weights.
Great Kitchen Accessory!
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
English Marine Barometer with Rope Carved Case
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century library barometer with rope carved case. Great old piece. Fitted with a brass hanging tab. Circa 1920.
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Apothecary Traveling Set, England 1790
Located in Milan, IT
Mahogany and brass box, with a drawer in the front. The upper part opens and inside a group of glass bottles ( some with labels), placed in comp...
Category
Late 18th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large 1920's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Educational Ear Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
Large 1920's Vintage scientific anatomical human 3D ear model. Large 16" scale and wonderful antique patina!
Category
1920s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber, Wood
George III Pocket Globe After Herman Moll
By Herman Moll
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A 3 inch George III pocket globe after Herman Moll, the terrestrial globe inscribed in a cartouche ‘A correct globe with the new discoveries’ and fitted within a hinged black shagreen case, the concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts...
Category
1770s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
18th Century English Mahogany Cased Stick Barometer by Dolland of London
By Dolland
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional late 18th century mahogany cased stick barometer by Dolland of London, The mahogany case of a very solid construction and with a superbly made turned mahogany cistern ...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Wax Anatomic Model Depicting an Human Organ Thyroid, Germany 1780
Located in Milan, IT
Colored wax anatomic model depicting a human organ: Thyroid mounted on black painted wooden base. Germany end of XVIII sec.
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Late 18th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Period late 18th century giltwood barometer. Original gilding. Carved overall with globe, and navigation instruments. Foliate and neoclassical motifs. Maker signed.
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Sundial and Compass with Case, Schrettegger, Johan, Augsburg, Germany, Ca 1800
Located in Madrid, ES
Sundial and compass with case. Bronze. SCHRETTEGGER, Johan. Augsburg, Germany, around 1800.
Sundial with a polygonal shape made of bronze, engraved with plant elements on the front,...
Category
Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Other
Brass Ashcroft Ships Revolution Counter
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships Revolution Counter by Ashcroft Mfg. Co New York. 8 inch face inscribed New York Ship building Co. Camden, N.J. USA. Nickel plated over brass with n...
Category
1920s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany banjo barometer having a swan neck pediment, original thermometer and an engraved circular silvered dial with original hands and brass bezel, qual...
Category
1780s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Louis XVI Period Giltwood Barometer
Located in Ross, CA
This beautifully carved Louis XVI barometer follows the designs of Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian physicist who was a student of Galileo and...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
Antique English Georgian Fruitwood Inlaid Banjo Wheel Barometer Thermometer
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English George III fruitwood barometer featuring a banjo shape with open pediment and inliad satinwood sea shell and floral motif. Made by F. Peduze Co. Circa 1780s-1820s. Me...
Category
Late 18th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
1920s Mahogany & Brass Antique Tool Carpentry Scribe
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mahogany Wood & Patinated Brass Antique Old Carpentry Marking Tool circa 1920s USA
Carpenter Scribe Marking Gauge Vintage Wood Working Tool in Wood ...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Rare Yacht Binnacle with Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass gimballed boat compass fitted to a hinge front wood binnacle. Brasses include carry handle, side light, brass hooks, etc. Circa 1920.
Overall Dimensions: 7"H x 7" L x ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Refractor Polarimeter Physic Measuring Instrument Made by Steindorff & Co 1920s
Located in Milan, IT
Refractor polarimeter made of painted brass with cast iron tripod base by Steindorff & Co. Berlin D.R.P. Germany, 1920s. It is an antique instrument used to determine the concentrati...
Category
1920s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Engine Indicator, Scottish, Scientific Instrument, Dobbie McInnes, 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique mechanical engine indicator. A Scottish, brass scientific instrument by Dobbie-McInnes of Glasgow, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
Presenting a gr...
Category
1920s Scottish Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Engraving of an 18th-Century Measuring Device, Based on Double Reflection, C1780
Located in Langweer, NL
"Occasus Ortus"
This engraving illustrates an 18th-century measuring device.
The instrument, built after the principle of the double reflection, allowed precise observations wi...
Category
1780s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Milan 1920/30 Antique Microscope by F.lli Koristka Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Milan, IT
Optical microscope signed F.lli Koristka Milano n. 42870 produced between 1920/30, of chromed and black painted brass, three-magnification turret, consisting of a stand and a plate w...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Rare George III Celestial Pocket Globe by Cary, London
By Cary
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A fine and rare 3" celestial pocket globe by G & W Cary, Strand, London circa 1791, housed in its original sharkskin case.
A companion globe to terrestrial globes of this type we...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
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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