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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1960s
Machine Age Art Deco Doctors or Bathroom Floor Model Scale Weigh Master by Hanso
Located in New York, NY
Great Machine Age, American Art Deco floor scale, Weigh Master by Hanson. The scale is fully functional, it shows cosmetic wear to the paint finish, and th...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

Italy 1939s Sketch Futurist Poster "Day of Two Crosses" Against Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of the futurist poster "Day of two crosses, 16th April 1939, XVII", mixed technique of pastel and water-color, for an Italian campaign against tuberculosis, to inform people a...
Category

1930s Italian Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Astro tripod mounted telescope by Dollond of London
Located in London, GB
A mid 20th century tripod mounted "Astro" telescope by Dollond of London. 3 inch objective lens. Mounted on a teak tripod. Marked: DOLLOND ASTRO LONDON Chrome and grey finish. I...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

Industrial table fan by Ercole Marelli
Located in Torino, IT
Cast iron base and brass blades. Made in the 1920s/30s by the firm of Ercole Marelli founded in Milan in 1891. Ercole Marelli & C. S.p.a began as a small workshop but became, mainl...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Westinghouse Shortwave Radio in French Polished Mahogany Case
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome Westinghouse combination shortwave radio, the French polished mahogany case housing a tube movement with multiple radio settings, made and signed by Westinghouse. This rad...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Brass Lorgnettes 'Long-Handled Opera Glasses' Mid-Century Italian Design 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
A splendid pair of 'lorgnettes' (long-handled opera, or theatre, glasses). Lorgnettes, eye glasses held in place by long handles rather than resting on the bridge of one's nose, were...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Fuller's Calculator, English, Bakelite, Brass, Mathematical Instrument
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Fuller's Calculator. An English, Bakelite and brass cased mathematical instrument by Stanley of London, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Beautifully pre...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Fuller's Calculator, English, Walnut Case, Scientific Instrument, C.1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Fuller's Calculator. An English, Bakelite and walnut cased scientific instrument by Stanley of London, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Quality mathemat...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite, Walnut

Globe from Dietrich Reimers. Germany 1930's
By Dietrich Reimers 1
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Globe by Dietrich Reimers berlin in the 1930's Made of papier mache with a wooden foot.
Category

1930s German Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, SOMSO, Germany circa 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made of plaster, glass and painted paper mache, metal hooks, holding on a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, SOMSO, Germany circa 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made out of polyvinyl chloride, plaster, glass and painted paper, metal ho...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

10 demountable geometric solids in oak height 7.9 inch 1960 Vallardi Milan
Located in Milan, IT
Box containing 10 removable geometric solids made of oak wood, maximum height 20 cm -inches 7.9, housed in their original wooden box. Made for educational purposes for schools by pub...
Category

1960s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Vintage industrial kitchen scale with timer of Yasu Sasamoto - Dulton -
Located in Roma, IT
Simple but elegant design by Yasu Sasamoto for Dulton. A kitchen scale with a built-in timer. Tested and working (both timer and accuracy are good). This creamy white edition will be...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s. Manufactured for SEARS is the equivalent of a Smith-Corona Classic 12. Features a stylish mid century...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Anatomical model: a male human body in life-size proportions, Italy 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting the flayed male human body in life-size proportions, with removable organs, made of painted resin, all placed on a black wood...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Resin, Wood

Berkel LP Scales
Located in Roma, IT
Berkel scale mod.LP from the 1960s made in the Netherlands
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Marelli Fan
Located in Roma, IT
The company was founded in 1891 in Milan as a sole proprietorship by Ercole Marelli, in his youth a worker at the Italian Tecnomasio in Milan. Initially the company manufactured elec...
Category

1960s Italian Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Brionvega Radiocubo by Zanuso & Sapper, 1960s
Located in Parma, IT
Radiocubo Mod.TS502 produced by Brionvega, designed by Zanuso & Sapper in the 1960s. PVC body in the very rare brick red colour, chromed and black metal finishes, with removable ant...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

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 Fish Skeleton Thermometer St Labre Indian School Ashland Montana
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Wall Fish Thermometer St Labre Indian School Ashland Montana Maker stamp 6.5 h x 2.5 w x .13 Original unrestored vintage untested decorative item Refer to images.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Berkel Scales
Located in Roma, IT
Libra from Holland in good condition all original no parts missing or repaired
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

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

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

Vintage Bausch & Lomb Brass Harbormaster 0905 Telescope on Tripod Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Brass 0905 Harbormaster 48" Telescope on Tripod Stand. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 60" H x 48" W x 3...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Gold Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Abstract decors with gold glaze and pockets of molten glass Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) Born in...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ceramic

Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder by Casella & Co of London
Located in London, GB
A mid twentieth century Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder, by Casella & Co, London. Pattern: Mk III C 45- 65 (latitudes 45° – 65°, North or South). 4 inch glass sphere. Serial numb...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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

Terrestrial globe, Italy 1940.
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe, physical and political, in paper mache on a round metal base. Cartographic design G. Pugno, lithographic typography C. Brandoni. Italian globe laboratory, Turin, I...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian 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

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

Vintage German Barometer Wrapped in Leather, Adnet Style
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage leather and brass hanging German Barometer. Polished brass German barometer with readings in English. Wrapped in a leather black strap with ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Bauhaus Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

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

Large Set of 8 Vintage Lab Sieves, English, Brass, Stacking, Scientific, C.1965
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large set of 8 vintage laboratory sieves. An English, brass stacking scientific apparatus, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1965. Fascinating set with superb period a...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Dental Phantom Head Model on Custom Stand c.1960s (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A mid-century dental school practice head, known as a dental phantom head, with aluminum skull, articulating mouth and solid steel custom sta...
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Copper & brass fuel measures by Sutherland Astell
Located in London, GB
Two copper and brass metric "Checkpump" fuel measures by Sutherland Astell, circa 1950. Made for the County Borough of Blackpool. Marked: 10 and 20 litres, at 20°. 20L, Height: 23...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Copper

1950s Wall Unit Vornado Grey Electric Window Fan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Vintage Wall Unit Vornado Gray Electric Window Fan 18 h 37 w (open) 25.5 w closed x 9.5 d Preowned unrestored vintage condition. Tested and working. Refer to all images please.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Anatomical model of a chiken, Germany 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
A life-size anatomical model of a chicken, with separable anatomical parts, for educational use. Made of painted plaster, wooden and metal base. Somso, Germany circa 1930.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Primitive Antique Hand Carved Stone Water Filter Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Rustic hand carved stone water filter 14 h x 11.5 Unrestored original antique vintage condition See all images for details.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Rustic Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stone

1950s Vintage Vornado Gray Electric Window Wall Fan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Vintage Wall Unit Vornado Industrial Gray Electric Window Fan 18 h 37 w (open) 25.5 w closed x 9.5 d Preowned unrestored vintage condition. Missing circle with label in center ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Pair of Molecular Atomic Structure Models for Didactic Use, Germany, 1940
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of molecular atomic structure models for chemical didactic use. The spheres are made of painted wood and represent atoms and a molecule. The base...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

1964 Ray Simpson Original Teakwood Tool Rake Grate
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Vintage Rake Tool Brush in Teakwood Modern Aluminum Grate Stamped Ray Simpson Original 1964 22.13 long x 3.88 w x 1.25 Preowned original vintage co...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

Carl Zeiss Binoculars 3.5 X 15, in Leather Case
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Compact 3.5 x 15 Carl Zeiss Jena Binoculars. A good pair of small compact usable Carl Zeiss Jena hand held binoculars in original Zeiss leather case. The binoculars are marked, Carl ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather

Antique Wood Flower Mold Two Hole
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Wood Flower Mold Two Hole 8.25 w x 3 d x 1.75 Original vintage condition unrestored See all images provided.
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Made Art Deco Style Bowl of Hygeia Symbol for Medicine / Pharmacy
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique, sizable and top quality workmanship 'pharmacy sign'. Some antiques you only find once in your life and we believe that we will never again find a handcrafted sign of such ra...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Sony Vintage Vidicon Video Camera, Circa 1969, Classic, Iconic With Tripod
By Sony Corporation
Located in Dallas, US
Submitted for your consideration is this, circa 1969, Sony vintage Vidicon industrial television camera complete with a studio viewfinder and a Sony TV z...
Category

1960s Japanese Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Mobil Dentist Rinsing Sink Stainless Steel, Belge
Located in Mortsel, BE
Elevate your space with this Antique Dentist Rinsing Sink crafted from stainless steel, showcasing Belgian craftsmanship. This unique piece is a testament to the bygone era of dentis...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Steel

Antique English aneroid barometer from the 1930s made of turned wood and brass
Located in Milan, IT
Antique English aneroid barometer 1930s turned wood, brass, and glass. Bon état. Working order. Diameter cm 19.7 - inches 7.7, thickness cm 5.5 - inches 2.2. Last photo gift box....
Category

1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

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

Anatomical model: human heart, Germany 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical demontable model of an human heart made out of painted lattex mounted on a round black wooden base. Germany circa 1950.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Latex, Wood

Aircraft Design Wind Tunnel Scale Model of a Late 1960s GAC-100 Airliner
Located in London, GB
A 1/10 scale wind tunnel model of a GAC-100 Commuter airliner. Wingspan: 7ft (214 cm) The model is constructed out of laminated mahogany, and is built to the highest standards,...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Glass Pharmacy Jars, Italy, 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
Pair of glass pharmacy jars, Italy, 1930s Found in an old disused pharmacy. Good condition. One has an imperceptible chip on the edge. Being handcra...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Set of Two Mushrooms Scientific Models Europe , Germany 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage set of two different types of mushrooms, show Models which are native to middle Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools. Colorful...
Category

1960s German Folk Art Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper, Wood

Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte with Flower Motif
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Typical flower decor with the numeral indication of the temperature. Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) Born in the...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ceramic

1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a great medical cabinet from the 1960s, ready to keep all your goodies safe this is a great 1960s accent item that is sure to be a one of a kind addition to your decor!
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Nice Acupuncture Model Statue Sculpture, Composition on Wood Stand Vintage 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Acupuncture Model. Some wear with a nice patina. Made of composition, metal and a wooden stand. It is painted in different colors and covered with clear varnish. Found a...
Category

1960s German Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Composition, Metal

Seven Large Mid 20th Century German Brown Amber Glass Apothecary Jars with Lid
Located in Haarlem, NL
A decorative collection of seven extra large German 1930s-1940s apothecary jars in blown and pressed amber glass with pressed and blown glass lids. Once used for chemistry and pharmaceutical stuff, now very pretty as decoration set. Not jet antique...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass

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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