Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Period: 20th Century
Vintage Reichert Austria Microscope 241 653 in Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Reichert Austria Microscope Number 241 653 in Wooden Box with Accessories as Pictured. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Box: 14.5" H x 9" W x 10.5" D.
Category
Late 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19 century Islamic Persian Brass Celestial Globe
Located in New York, NY
19 century Persian celestial globe astrolabe mounted on axle, decorated with bands, Farsi inscriptions and animals, raised on four baluster shaped legs with secondary ring raised on...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
WWII Brass Pocket Compass, England, 1942
Located in Nantucket, MA
A working brass pocket compass marked London, 1942 on the back. Nickel dial. With hinged glass magnifier. WWII English. TG Co. Ltd.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1986 Enorme Telephone Handset by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly postmodern telephone handset designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of a collaboration between...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
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
Fairbanks Scale Co American Doctors Scale
Located in Cheshire, GB
Fairbanks doctors scale in black with brass adjustable measuring stick, and cast iron pressure plate. Retaining there original weights.
Dimensions:
Heig...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
Art Deco Nudy Lady Thermometer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Celluloid nude lady Art Deco thermometer.
Category
20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Antique Scientific Didactic Model of the Yew Seed, Germany made in the Twenties
Located in Milan, IT
Taxus baccata, enlarged and removable didactic model of the yew seed, tree very used as hedge, belonging to the order of the conifers. German manufacture of the twenties made of papi...
Category
1920s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Spa Belgium by Valentine Engel
High quality mechanism with Jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)
Unusual de...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Antique Student's Field Microscope, English, Scientific Interest, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique student's field microscope. An English, brass scientific instrument in carry case, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Superb brass instrument with fine ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Bronze and Lead Weight in its Interior of Seven Pounds
Located in Marbella, ES
19th Century Bronze and Lead Weight in its Interior of Seven Pounds
Category
Late 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
English Silver Plated Bronze Barometer Covered with Hand-Sewn Leather
Located in Marbella, ES
English Silver Plated Bronze Barometer Covered with Hand-Sewn Leather
Category
Late 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Bronze
Decorative French Ceramic Thermometer by Mithê Espelt (circa 1960s)
By Mithé Espelt
Located in London, GB
Decorative, French vintage ceramic thermometer and casing by Mithé Espelt (circa 1960s). A delightful piece with stylised French coq and castle motifs. The hen is in a lovely deep gr...
Category
1960s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
Rare 1914 Industrial cast Iron Lawn Sprinkler/Sculpture Pennsylvania Rainmaker
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare 1914 Industrial cast Iron Lawn Sprinkler/Sculpture Pennsylvania Rainmaker, 40 years and I have never seen one,, Amazing piece of industrial design / sculpture , Would make a gr...
Category
1910s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Small French 20th Century Terrestrial Globe on Turned Black Wooden Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small French terrestrial globe from the 20th century, with metal protractor and circular black wooden base. Created in France during the 20th century, this terrestrial globe is con...
Category
20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
A set of botanical models of a plant embryo, Fisons Scientific, London UK 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
A set of five botanical models depicting in numbered sequence the development of a vegetal embryo. Made out of hand painted plaster, the models are mounted on a wooden base. T. Gerra...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Bilancia Da Farmacia Inglese F E Becker & CO Entro Teca Inizio 1900
By F. E. Becker & Co
Located in Milan, IT
Antica Bilancia Da Farmacia F. E. Becker & CO conservata entro una teca a giorno costruita in legno e vetro. Alla bilancia si accede sollevando l’antina frontale, dopo di che si può ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage 2 Draw Telescope, English, Leather, Brass, Terrestrial Refractor, C.1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 2 draw telescope. An English, leather on brass terrestrial refractor, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciatio...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
English oak wall-mounted aneroid barometer signed Smiths 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
aneroid barometer square-shaped wall-mounted English oak wood signed Smiths from the 1940s.
Good working condition. Measures 20x20x 5 cm - inche 7.9x7.9x2.
The last photo is the ...
Category
1940s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Deco Style Barometer with Mercury Thermometer Weather Station Antique Decorative Cherrywood Wall Barometer Austria 1920s
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any further q...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut 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
Vintage Hydroway Scales Inc, HydroScale 1000 Pound Crane Weigh Scale
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Hydroway Scales Inc, HydroScale 1000 Pound Crane Weigh Scale. Item itself weighs approx 40-50 lbs. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 13.5" H x 13.5" W x 8" D
Category
Late 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
English 20th Century Iron Armillary Held by the Titan Atlas on Stone Pedestal
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English iron armillary depicting Atlas carrying the world from the early 20th century, with carved stone pedestal. Created in England during the 20th century, this armillary featu...
Category
20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Iron
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
1900s French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 1900s French Metal Scale is an enchanting piece of historical craftsmanship, designed to bring a timeless aesthetic to any setting. Constructed with a durable, iron base that ha...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1900s French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This early 1900s French Metal Scale is an evocative piece of history that marries function with rustic charm. Featuring a robust metal frame with an aged, weathered patina, the scale...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1900s French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 1900s French Metal Scale is an enchanting piece of historical craftsmanship, designed to bring a timeless aesthetic to any setting. Constructed with a durable, iron base that ha...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1900s French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This early 1900s French Metal Scale is an evocative piece of history that marries function with rustic charm. Featuring a robust metal frame with an aged, weathered patina, the scale...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Double Sided Standing Dutch Chalk Board
Located in Stamford, CT
A very large 1900-1910 century chalk board from the Netherlands. The solid wood stand is substantial and easy to move on its antique casters. Great in a kid's room, a restaurant, or ...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Solid Brass Library Barometer 1914
Located in Norwell, MA
Brass barometer by Taylor of Rochester, NY. Patent date of August 18, 1914. Face is printed "stormy", "change", "very dry", "rain", "fair", etc.. Brass mounting ring. Circa 1914.
Category
1910s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Old Compass reproduction 1944 London, brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Old Compass reproduction 1944 London, brown Color
Category
20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Nautical Double Gauge Bubble Clinometer on Teak Back Plate by Conn. Valley Ind.
Located in Nantucket, MA
A double gauge bubble clinometer with precision glass tubing and nickel face mounted on a teak back plate. These tilt gauges were used on vessels to measure the angular slant of the ...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
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
Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting Female Anatomy ca.1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting Female Anatomy ca.1900s
A rare 19ct anatomical brochure illustrating the female human anatomy. Very detailed multicoloured depiction of human ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
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
1900s Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting the Human Head
Located in Berghuelen, DE
1900s Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting the Human Head
A rare brochure illustrating the anatomy of the human head. Very detailed multicoloured depiction of several layers of th...
Category
Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
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
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
Ant. Victorian Carved Oak Aneroid Barometer, Scotland 1900, H764
Located in Vancouver, BC
Ant. Victorian carved oak Aneroid Barometer, "Admiral Fitzrays Indicators", Scotland 1900, H764
Scotland 1900
Solid Oak
Original Finish
Barometer has a thermometer which is held in an oak glass fronted case...
Category
Early 1900s Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
1960s Nautical Rangefinder Signed Kelvin Hughes Antique Marine Navigation Tool
Located in Milan, IT
Nautical rangefinder signed Made in Great Britan by Kelvin Hughes a divison of Smiths Industries Limited made in the 1960s, complete with original mahogany box. AP 498 Stuats Marine Distance Meter very good working condition. Box size cm 21 x 13 H 6. It is an ancient nautical instrument used to measure...
Category
1960s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Industrial table fan by Ercole Marelli
By 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
Semi-Automatic Large Bakelite Grocery Scale, Czech Republic, 1930s
Located in Żory, PL
Old shop scale from the 1930s/1940s, manufactured in the Czech Republic by Zbrojovka Brno. Semi-automatic scale, with internal weights. The scale is set with stylish metal buttons. A...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
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
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
Antique English Brass Cased Compass Reg. No. For 1903
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased late Victorian or Edwardian compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a pocket watch.
The dial is lucky enough to have an Englis...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Cherry Blossom
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Cherry Blossom
A rare antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900....
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
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
Unusual Antique English Folding Compass In Brass Case c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
An unusual English compass which folds into it's own brass case. Marked "England" and dating to c.1900.
2" x 1 3/4" x 1/2". Excellent condition.
Item: 44415
FREE Worldwide Regist...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting Female Anatomy
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting Female Anatomy
A rare 19ct anatomical brochure illustrating the female human anatomy. Very detailed multicoloured depiction of human o...
Category
Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Barley
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Barley
A rare antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900. Highly ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
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
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
Electrostatic machine by Wimshurst, designed by Rinaldo Damiani, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Electrostatic machine by Wimshurst, a British engineer and shipowner, designed in the 1880s, created by Rinaldo Damiani, a builder active in Venice between the end of the nineteenth ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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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