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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Recognized Seller Listings
Cast Iron Mortar
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A cast iron mortar with a bas-relief band in the center.
Category
19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
Italian Renaissance Chrome Armillary
Located in New York, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (20th Century) chrome armillary globe with a rust patina.
Category
20th Century American Renaissance Revival Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "Iris, Paris", circa 1885
By Iris, Paris
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury, top of the line, French Lorgnette Opera Glasses; with fancy mother o...
Category
1880s French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
French Metamorphic Opera Glasses, 18K Gold
Located in New Orleans, LA
These unique 18K metamorphic gold French opera glasses are the epitome of both elegance and luxury. Exquisitely engraved with delicate floral motifs, these glasses fold up perfectly ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
Signed 19th Century Mahogany and Brass Telescope on Custom Oak Wall Mount
Located in San Francisco, CA
An English mahogany and brass single draw telescope made and signed by William Bruce, Kings Head Court Shoe Lane London, circa 1830. This handsom...
Category
1830s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "La Ville Paris" Ca 1890
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury French Opera Glasses with fancy lorgnette style handle and gilt metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and on...
Category
1890s French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
A Wellington commemorative barometer retailed by Wehrle and Steuert
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This carved giltwood barometer is in the form of a military trophy of arms surmounted by a ducal coronet. It comprises a sword hilt, cannon barrels and standards surrounding a portr...
Category
1850s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
A Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, Liverpool
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, Liverpool. The 10 ¾-inch silvered dial of this walnut barometer is set within the arms of an anchor and a coil of double twisted rope which passes over a ring handle. The dial is inscribed in Spanish and the scale in both Fahrenheit and ‘Beaumur’. It is The trunk inset with a thermometer. Inscribed Gray & Keen, Liverpool on the dial. English and Italian, circa 1860.
Height: 37in (94cm) Width: 17in (43cm)
Gray and Keen from Liverpool exhibited in the Designers and Manufacturers Hall of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The official catalogue entry reads ‘Wheel barometer, designed for use in naval establishments’ and ‘Gothic wheel barometer’s. For a similar rope twist barometer...
Category
1860s European Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Victorian Marquetry Wall Barometer and Thermometer
Located in London, GB
Victorian marquetry wall barometer and thermometer.
English, 19th century
Measures: height 98cm, width 25cm, depth 7cm.
This elegant piece is a fin...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Thermometer by Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern-Period, sterling silver thermometer in working condition, Tiffany and Company, New York, circa 1950s. Works are made by...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Sterling Silver
George III Gallery Magnifying Glass
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A George III gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a mahogany frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bracket in the rim, the handle with a brass collar. Engli...
Category
19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Swiss Gold and Enamel Telescope
Located in New Orleans, LA
Scientifically advanced and exquisitely crafted, this rare 19th-century gold and enamel Swiss telescope is an item of exceptional luxury. The Swiss cre...
Category
19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold, Enamel
Georgian Terrestrial Pocket Globe by T. Harris and Son, London, 1813
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A Rare George III pocket globe by T. Harris and Son, London, 1813. Housed in the original sharkskin case.
A fasinsting and rare item in wonderful condition.
The terrestrial globe inscribed 'New Terrestrial Globe By T.Harris and Sons 1813' rotates on its axes inside a hinged black shagreen case. The concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts of the Northern and Southern skies and depictatioins of the symbols of Zodiac.
The Harris family — Thomas Harris (d. 1837) and his son William Harris (1797-1846) — were London opticians who also sold and later produced terrestrial and celestial globes. Initially, Thomas Harris was principally an optician and mathematical instrument maker. He was joined, and then succeeded, by William in...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Very Large George III Rosewood Gallery Magnifying Glass
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very large George III rosewood gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a rosewood frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bracket in the rim. English, circa 18...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rosewood
MId-Century Modern Sterling Silver-Mounted Honeywell Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern, sterling silver-mounted Honeywell barometer, Baldwin and Miller Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, Ca. 1950's. Barometer mechanism itself is made by the Honeywell Compan...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Sterling Silver
Holland Circle by Baumann and Kinzelbach
Located in New Orleans, LA
This intriguing item is almost certainly a Holland Circle by German scientific instrument makers Baumann & Kinzelbach. The Holland Circle, sometimes referred to as a Dutch Circle, was used in land surveying and is a precursor to the theodolite, an optical instrument for measuring angles. Baumann and Kinzelbach were based in Stuttgart, Germany, and in addition to crafting surveying instruments...
Category
19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Collection of 18th and 19th Century Arabic Astrolabes and Quadrant
Located in London, GB
A collection of 18th and 19th century Arabic astrolabes and quadrant
Persian, 18th/19th Century
Largest: height 23cm, width 13cm, depth 3cm
Smallest: height 6.5cm, width 4.5cm, depth 1.5cm
This excellent set of antique astronomical instruments is a selection of five Persian brass astrolabes...
Category
Early 19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Regency Lane’s Pocket Globe, Dated 1818
By Lane's
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A 3 ½ inch Regency Lane’s pocket globe, dated 1818, the terrestrial globe with the seas in light green and the land masses outlined in darker green, contained within a hinged black shagreen case, the concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Wilson Chilton’s mahogany Naval Architects/draughtsman box of curves/templates
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Wilson Chilton’s mahogany Naval Architects/Naval draughtsman box of curves and templates, probably by Gillows still retaining around 100 superb quality...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Brass Merchants Scale
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian brass merchants scale with square glass tray, round brass tray, and inset oval mirror.
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Wrought Iron Armillary
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern wrought iron armillary globe with a center sun surrounded by 9 movable planetary rings on a platform base.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
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
Large Antique Solid Brass Library Telescope by Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co
Located in Montreal, QC
Large Antique Solid Brass Library Telescope by Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co
Marked: '' 63 Farringdon Rd London EC. Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co''
Category
1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
‘Royal’ Barometer by John Russell, Watchmaker to the Prince Regent
By John Russell
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This superbly crafted wheel barometer and thermometer has a mahogany case surrounded by twisted brass stringing and central panels of foliate tendrils above Russell’s signature thistle motif in black and gilt verre églomisé. It is surmounted by a brass Prince of Wales feather finial. The long, rectangular thermometer plate is inscribed ‘Thermometers: Beaumar, Fahrenheit, Royal Society of London’, the latter being an early attempt to standardise temperature measurement. The circular dial is inscribed ‘Changeable, Fair, Settled Fair, Much Rain’ and ‘Rain’ and signed across the centre ‘J Russell, Falkirk, Invt et Fecit, Watch Maker to his R.H the Prince Regent’. The reverse has a paper label ‘Russell, Iden Collection Inventory 1896’. Scottish, circa 1815.
Provenance: Mr Walter Iden.
Published: Percy G. Dawson, The Iden Clock Collection, Woodbridge, 1987. No.125, p.280.
These ‘royal barometers’ were so named because John Russell of Falkirk...
Category
1810s Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Edwardian Cased Oak Barograph with Bevelled Glass Panels
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An Edwardian cased oak barograph with bevelled glass panels and a central chart drawer. Inscribed ‘Made by Short & Mason London, for A & N C S Westminster’.
A & N C S refers to the Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd., an army surplus...
Category
1870s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Oak
Bow-Front Marine Barometer by John Dollond
By Dollond, London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A bow-front marine barometer by John Dollond It is of slender cylindrical form with a silvered register plate enclosed by a hinged thermometer flap an...
Category
1820s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Ornamental Turning Lathe, No. 1906 by Holtzapffel & Co
Located in New Orleans, LA
An essential tool in the creation and finishing of furniture, this 19th-century English ornamental lathe is an object of beauty in and of itself. The extraordinary machine...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Victorian Nautical Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer Pair
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian nautical gilt bronze clock and barometer pair
English, 19th Century
Measures: height 25 cm, width 22 cm, depth 13.5 cm
This elega...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Agate, Ormolu
Victorian Brass Novelty Clock by Elkington & Co
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian brass novelty clock by Elkington & Co., in the form of a double steering-wheel, one wheel enclosing a clock and the other a barometer, with ...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique 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
American Victorian Brass Scale
Located in New York, NY
American Victorian green painted iron and brass scale with 2 brass trays.
Category
19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Swiss Hand Carved Black Forest Figure of a Fox with Thermometer, circa 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Swiss hand-carved Black Forest figure of a fox with thermometer, Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1880 in linden wood, with the original antique thermometer...
Category
1880s Swiss Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
George III Mahogany Stick Barometer by Noted London Makers
By William Jones
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A fine George III mahogany stick barometer by noted London makers William & Samuel Jones.
The mahogany-veneered case has an austere form with only the moulded caddy top and the u...
Category
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Silver Dutch Perpetual Calender
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A rare late 18th-early 19th century silver Dutch perpetual calendar.
Category
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
Domestic Medicine Chest by Thompson & Capper
By Thompson & Capper
Located in New Orleans, LA
An invaluable addition to the 19th century home, this domestic medicine chest contained nearly everything needed to nurse a member of the house...
Category
19th Century English Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Portable Copying Machine by James Watt & Co.
By James Watt
Located in New Orleans, LA
Considered the first step into the world of modern photocopying, the copying machine was among the first widely used devices to successfully produce an ex...
Category
18th Century English Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Neoclassical Style French Giltwood Clock and Barometer Set
Located in London, GB
Rare neoclassical style French giltwood clock and barometer set
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 90cm, width 38cm, depth 12cm
This du...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Enamel
17th Century Lantern Alarm Clock by Johannes Quelch, Oxford
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
An English 17th century lantern clock made of brass and iron, circa 1665-1670. The clock consists of going and striking trains, as well as a...
Category
17th Century British Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Hydrometer by Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A black enameled hydrometer, was a part of a weather station.
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique American Mother-of-Pearl and Silver Overlay Magnifying Glass
Located in New York, NY
Antique magnifying glass, circa 1900. Tapering mother-of-pearl handle overlaid with silver scrollwork. Circular lens in metal frame. Handle ma...
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer
Located in London, GB
In their elaborate use of C-scrolls, putti figures, stylised acanthus leaves and flowers, this clock and barometer are clearly Rococo in their style. The Rococo came into fashion in ...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
French Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer by Charpentier
Located in London, GB
Designed in the French Rococo style, this clock and barometer set have been beautifully ornamented with scrolling foliate gilt bronze forms. The two are diamond shaped, with symmetri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Bavarian Pharmacy Balance
Located in New Orleans, LA
This amazing and extremely rare Bavarian Biedermeier-period pharmacy balance stand would have been at home at any apothecary’s shop during the mid-19th century. Crafted of walnut with bold giltwood accents, this stand holds eight separate sets of balances with brass beams and pointers, and weighing pans made of Horn, brass and porcelain. The balances measure out varying sizes; the largest is capable of measuring up to 500 grams, while smallest weighs up to 5 grams. Such balances would have been essential tools in the practice of compounding, or creating customized medications to suit a specific patient's needs. The delicate porcelain scales even indicate what they were used to weigh: one set is marked “Jodoform,” or iodoform, a disinfectant and antiseptic once used to treat wounds, and the other is marked “Venena,” which is Latin for “poisons.” Each scale also exhibits stamps indicating that they have been tested for accuracy. It is extremely rare to find such a large array of scales, especially those in such wonderful condition, in one collection. This intriguing piece is a must for any medical antiques enthusiast.
The units of measurement in which apothecaries worked were often minute: grains, scruples, drams and ounces. As they were typically used to measure very small amounts of ingredients, apothecary and analytical balances...
Category
19th Century Balkan Biedermeier Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
2-Piece Victorian Gothic Revival Barometer/Thermometer Set
Located in New York, NY
2-Piece French Victorian Gothic Revival (3rd Quarter 19th Century) mahogany barometer/thermometer & wall clock set (Signed L. LEROY & CIE/ 13 & 15 Palais Royal, Paris) (PRICED AS SET...
Category
19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Lapis Lazuli Table Clock and Barometer
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
The body of this fine table clock and barometer is veneered in lapis lazuli and supported by a hinged arm to the reverse. The clock and barometer d...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Belle Époque Scientific Instruments
Materials
Lapis Lazuli
John Bennett Georgian Barometer
By John Bennett
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Georgian barometer by the leading London instrument-maker John Bennett strongly reflects the prevalent furniture style and archite...
Category
18th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer, Attributed to Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
This stunning gilt bronze clock and barometer pair was created in circa 1860 in France. The two have been attributed to Raingo Frères, the prestigious, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer by Dasson
Located in London, GB
This fine set comprises a cartel clock and barometer, each of which are crafted entirely in gilt bronze. The clock and barometer cases are identical, and take the form of a lyre. The...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Russian Fabergé Style Silver Gilt Table Thermometer
By Karl Fabergé
Located in London, GB
The very fine table thermometer mounted in a silver-gilt frame and set with diamonds and rubies, featuring an oval shaped photograph surrounded by a ...
Category
20th Century Russian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Diamond, Silver, Enamel
English Victorian Blue & Brass Telescope
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian brass and blue telescope on adjustable mahogany tripod base.
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pair of Louis XVI Ormulu Wall Clocks & Barometers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Louis XVI-style (Mid-19th Century) ormolu wall clock and barometer set each of banjo form with Apollo mask above putti and circular dial over bearded mask (Signed RAIN...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
Italian Venetian Gilt Wood Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) gilt carved and black painted barometer,with wreath top and cornucopia sides with scroll motifs.
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Charpentier French Victorian Brass Scale
By P. Charpentier a Paris 1
Located in New York, NY
French Victorian brass scale with 2 round trays on square wooden base (signed CHARPENTIER with hallmark)
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Wood Propeller Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco wood propeller with barometer.
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (Late 19th Century) walnut wall barometer/thermometer with carved bird, deer and floral carving.
Category
19th Century German Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Louis XVI Barometer
Located in New York, NY
French Louis XVI (18th Century) barometer with original scientific illustrations and mercury vial framed with gilt foliate carvings & ebonized ...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, 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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