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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 1980s
Period: Late 18th Century
David Beringer (1756-1821) Polyhedral Wooden Sundial
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). DAVID BERINGER (1756-1821) The frui...
Category

Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

18th Century Carpenters Hand Plane Tool, Signed and Dated 1791
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rare Museum-level 18th Century carpenters tool, an antler hand plane, hand-carved to look like a lion. Signed with initials and dated 1791.
Category

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Nocturlabe Silver Metal Jacob Senebier Paris XVIII sec.
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Nocturlabe in silver-plated and eng...
Category

1780s French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Silver Plate

A Wooden Diptical Sundial Germany 1790
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Pocket sundial, made out of wood, ...
Category

Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

A Brass Butterfield Type Dial French Late 18th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
signed Pigeon A Lion, the octagonal dial with hinged gnomon and bird pointer, inset compass and engraved with hour scales, the reverse engraved with towns and their latitudes, 2¾in (...
Category

1790s French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

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

Silver Brass Pocket Sundial Compass French, circa 1780
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Silver brass octagonal dial with fo...
Category

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Silver, Brass

18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London
Located in Martlesham, GB
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London, having a mahogany barrel with a thumb wheel to the side of the main barrel, supported on a solid brass tripod s...
Category

1780s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

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

Large Mid-Century Italian Giorgio Armani Eye Glasses Factice Shop Display Piece
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a rare and unique item! The Armani Eyeglasses Factic for display in a shop comes with its original cardboard packaging and is made of metal and glass. It's a coveted collecto...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Oval with a ribbon bow over an oval glass fronted barometer with grisaille painted panel with metal directionals. Inscribed Selon Torricelli.
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Vintage Safe Deposit Box In Steel, Czechoslovakia 1980s
Located in Zohor, SK
Step back in time with this remarkable vintage steel safe box, a testament to both craftsmanship and security. Crafted in the 1980s within the borde...
Category

1980s Slovak Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

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

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

Vintage Spanish Analog Telephone by Telefonica, circa 1980
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage Analog Telephone manufactured by Telefonica from Spain, circa 1980. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. M...
Category

1980s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Rare Pierre Cardin Pop Art Futuristic Ambiance Phone
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Rare and highly collectable Pop Art futuristic Ambiance phone.
Category

1980s Taiwanese Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

18th Century Gold French Gilded Wood Barometer, Antique Parisian Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...
Category

Late 18th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

18th Century Parisian Giltwood Barometer Thermometer
Located in Dallas, TX
This lovely giltwood barometer and thermometer was hand-carved during the Louis XVI period in Paris, France. During the late 1700’s, barometers were typically only owned by wealthy f...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

18th Century French Louis XVI Period Gilded Barometer by Evangelista Torricelli
By Evangelista Torricelli
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, large antique French Louis XVI period barometer, signed by Torricelli in gilded wood and of oval shape with original scientific illustrations, in good condition. The detailed wall décor piece is consisting its original glass. Framed with gilt foliate trim and important pediment. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1750, France. The Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

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

1980s Chocolate Brown Touchtone Desk Phone
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage chocolate brown touchtone desk phone. Circa 1980s Features a bright chocolate brown body with contrasting gray buttons. The base has rubber feet ...
Category

1980s South Korean Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

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

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

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

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

English Mahogany Steel Engraved Stick Barometer Signed F. Tarone, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany stick Barometer with a broken arch pediment, brass urn finial, Satin wood string inlay, hinged glass door revealing a numeral steel engraved dial with original mounted thermometer and barometric pressure gauge. Signed F. Tarone. Late 18th Century Barometer...
Category

1780s English Sheraton Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Personal Weight, Luxa/Vista Semily, 1980's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in czechoslovakia. Made of Metal,Plastic. Fully Functional. Good original condition.
Category

1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

George III Pocket Globe After 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

English Pocket Globe, London, Circa 1775-1798
Located in Milano, IT
Pocket globe London, between 1775 and 1798 Re-edition of the globe of Hermann Moll (1678-1732) dated 1719 The globe is contained in its original case, which itself is covered in sh...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Shagreen, Paper

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

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

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

18th Century English Mahogany Cased Stick Barometer by Dolland of London
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

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

Antique 18th Century French Bronze Scientific Silk-Weighing Instrument 1789-1795
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare antique 18th century French Lyonnaise bronze scientific Instrument used for weighing Silk, in anchor form, 1789-1795. Made by "J. Berthaud et Cie...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Important Georgian Mahogany Mercury Stick Barometer by Stott, Dumfries
Located in Norwich, GB
Fine Georgian mahogany bow fronted stick barometer. Bow fronted glass set in front of the silvered register plate with sliding vernier controlled by an ivory turned knob. Concertina ...
Category

1790s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Stick Barometer Mahogany Board Antique Weather Measuring Instrument J. Ramsden
By Jesse Ramsden
Located in Milan, IT
Stick barometer mounted on a mahogany board complete with vernier reading the variation of atmospheric pressure signed by Jesse Ramsden, end of the 18th century. Very good condition...
Category

1780s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

French Louis XVI Carved Giltwood Mercury Barometer
Located in Norwich, GB
Louis XVI carved giltwood and painted mercury wheel barometer. Eight inch circular painted wood register dial with central rosette within the scale calibrated from 27-28-29 and ...
Category

1780s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Late 18th Century Lacquered Brass Table Telescope
Located in New York, NY
Late 18th century lacquered brass table telescope.
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique Hand-Crafted Solid Bronze Mortar with Pestle and Great Original Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
Decorative and tactile, late 18th century mortar set. Mortars have been used for centuries by private people and by people in certain trades. In the kitche...
Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Sinar P Expert Kit Large Format 4X5
Located in valatie, NY
Sinar p 4x5 expert kit containing: Sinar copal f5.6 auto aperture shutter & release cable Sinar p 4x5 camera Regular bellows Wide angle bellows 4x5 ground film holder with fresn...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

Pantograph Signed Lennel, Paris, 1780
Located in Milan, IT
Brass and ebony pantograph, in its original mahogany box. Bone wheels. The instrument shows the signature of the maker Lennel à La Sphére à Paris. France, 1780.
Category

1780s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Memphis Tool Kit Set by Koyo Sangyo, Japan, 1980s
By Koyo Sangyo
Located in Munich, DE
Rare tool kit designed by Koyo Sangyo, Japan, 1980s. This complete set represents the 'Memphis' period and includes: a handsaws, a Hammer, two screwdrivers an...
Category

1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Late 18th Century Hand-Forged Cheese Cutter / Knife Museum Quality 1794
Located in Lisse, NL
Possibly the oldest cheese cutter in the world. This hand forged 18th century cheese cutter with wooden handles is in excellent condition. Because of th...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Gilt-Wood Barometer & Thermometer, France c. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Louis XVI Period Barometer & Thermometer Combination, originating in France & dating from the last quarter of the 18th century. The workings enclosed by a gilt-wood case with carve...
Category

1780s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Pair of English Globes by Cary, London, 1798 and 1800
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of 12-inch table globes John and William Cary London, 1798 and 1800 Some restored cracks and abrasions lb 11 each (kg 5) The two terrestrial and celestial globes rest in their original Dutch style stands with four supporting turned wood columns. Each one measures 18 in in height x 17 in in diameter with the diameter of the spheres measuring about 12 in; 46 cm in height x 43 cm in diameter x 31 cm diameter of the spheres. The 12 inch measure was one of the most frequently used by British manufacturers of globes of this period. Each globe is composed of two series of twelve printed paper gores, aligned and glued onto plaster spheres. The brass circle of the meridian bears engravings...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

French 18th Century Gold Leaf Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Made of hand-carved wood in 18th century France, this barometer is elegantly covered in a variety of carved designs, all coated in gold leaf. A handled Grecian vase sits atop the ste...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold Leaf

18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely period French Louis XVI giltwood barometer with beautiful patina. This antique French Louis XVI giltwood barometer will add a touch...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Louis XVI Period Gilt-wood Barometer with Globe, c. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Louis XVI period Gilt-wood Barometer, with an interesting crest design of a Globe & rolled-up map, capped by a laurel wreath. The barometer & thermometer combination contained by a...
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of typical form‚ the giltwood body centered by a circular barometer dial flanked by pillars ending in flame‚ above a thermometer flanked by foliate branches‚ surmounted by swags.
Category

Late 18th Century French 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 Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Italian Modern Plexiglass and Glass Mercury Wall Thermometer, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern plexiglass and glass mercury wall thermometer, 1980s Old mercury thermometer for wall, Coming from an old doctor's office site in Mil...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Plexiglass

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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