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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Style: Victorian
Bilancia pesa persona Wunder
Located in Roma, IT
Bilancia pesa persona prodotta in Italia negli anni 70 in perfetto stato Meccanica restaurata Pesata 120 Kg divisioni 500g
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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

Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Inlaid Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality rosewood inlaid banjo barometer having a quality attractive banjo shaped rosewood case with superb satinwood marquetry inlay and a carved top, porcelain the...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rosewood

Early 20th Century Dr Auzoux Paris Papier Mache Teaching Aid Tooth
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Dr Auzoux Paris Papier Mache Teaching Aid Tooth A dated circa 1921 Dr Auzoux Paris Papier Mache Teaching Aid Tooth example. Hand crafted with painted label detail...
Category

1920s French Early Victorian Vintage 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

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

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

Viennese enamel opera glasses, c. 1900.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
Viennese enamel opera glasses, c. 1900. The gilt metal opera glasses, having hand painted barrels of a couple wearing 18th Century costume, playing music in garden settings. The hand...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Enamel

Antique Half Relief Anatomical Model Head in Wax, Germany c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A German wax dissected model of the head, circa 1910, showing nerves, arteries, veins and muscles of the head with paper numbered labels. The case has the original marker’s la...
Category

Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Glass

Bilancia pesa persona da Farmacia Diara
Located in Roma, IT
Bilancia pesa persone da Farmacia prodotta in Italia negli anni 70 dalla ditta Diara di Livorno completamente restaurata Pesata massimo 150 kg Divisione 100 g Meccanica
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

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

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

Antique 19th C. W & A K Johnston 18" Celestial Library Floor Globe Stand 1879
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Celestial floor globe on stand by W. & A.K. Johnston, 1879. Representation of stars and constellations as they would appear on a sphere (Celestial sphere) of inf...
Category

1870s Victorian Antique 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

Vintage Erskine 200 Sterilized Barber Shop Shaving Brush
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage ERSKINE 200 Sterilized Barber Shop SHAVING BRUSH Nylon Bristles Rubber Stamped Sterile 200 4.5 tall x 1.38 diameter Preowned original vintage...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nylon, Rubber

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

19th Century French Iron Balance - Antique Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French intricate brass balance with different weights in solid brass, in good condition. The iron scale is topped with the original polished brass plates. The scale reads ...
Category

19th Century French Mid-Century Modern Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

1970's Vintage Olivetti Lettera 35 Typewriter
Located in San Carlos, CA
Beautiful vintage 1970's Olivetti Lettera 35 typewriter, made in Italy. This typewriter comes with a very cool vintage Olivetti shoulder bag. This typewriter is in very good cosmeti...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern 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

Early 19th c.Medical Teaching Device- Shadowboxed Wax Fetus Models c.1800-1850
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Two early 19th century British wax models of a fetuses with attached placenta. Used as a medical teaching device. Numbered and attached to a velvet background. In a sealed woo...
Category

Early 19th Century Mid-Century Modern Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Small Antique Pharmacist's Measuring Cup, English, Glass, Apothecary, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique pharmacist's measuring cup. An English, glass and leather apothecary measure, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 190...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

19th century thermometer in original case
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century thermometer in original case circa 1890. Fine quality thermometer which measures between -45 degrees centigrade and +50. In ful...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

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

19th C Pair of Large Optical Experimental Scientific Mirrors Concave & Convex
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A large pair of scientific optical mirrors, one concave the other convex. These where used in studies of optical sciences and in particular the study of the properties of light r...
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Functional Tesla AS20 Phone 1979, Československo
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Fully functional - Tesla manufacturer - Scratched, see photo-
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

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

Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Astro, Great War
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3-draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial spotter's refractor in leather case, dating to the Great War period, circa 1915. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky An attractive telescope with quality leather protective case Displays a desirable aged patina and in good order Rich tan coloured leather dresses the primary barrel and sun shade Of 3 draw type, opening with a reassured action to each tube Clear, bright objective lens with a diameter of 48mm (2") Quality, matching leather dust cup present for the objective and eyepiece The eyepiece finished with concentric ring turning Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass Captains Stand...
Category

Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Scholar's Microscope, English, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scholar's microscope. An English, brass and enamelled metal scientific instrument by Henry Crouch, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Appealing micr...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Chromed Brass, Terrestrial, Astro, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 2 draw telescope. An English, chromed brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display. Of generous proportion when fully drawn, and neatly stowed in its own case Displaying a desirable aged patina, some light marks commensurate with use Leather covered primary barrel tanned in dark green with some light colour wear Polished draw tubes show bright silvered tones, lightly marked from gentle use Presenting a clear optical performance, with a 34mm (1.25") primary objective lens Lift-off dust cap to the objective, the flared eye cup...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Laboratory Microscope, German, Scientific Instrument, Carl Zeiss Jena
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique laboratory microscope. A German, brass and enamelled metal scientific instrument by Carl Zeiss Jena, dating to the early 20th cen...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

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

Antique Cased Microscope, English, Scientific Instrument, J Swift, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased microscope. An English, enamelled metal and brass scientific instrument by J. Swift & Son of London, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Presen...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Late 19th C Gemstone Mineral & Semi Precious Stone Specimens Display Case Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Just the most wonderful collection of mineral specimens, housed in there original birds eye maple case. Each specimen is encased in a hand blown glass convex vial, along with a corr...
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber, Birdseye Maple, Pine

Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1880-1890.
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Cased Scholar's Microscope, English, Brass Scientific Instrument, C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased scholar's microscope. An English, brass scientific instrument, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Fascinating cased microscope with distinctive a...
Category

Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1870-1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Handsome Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1870-1880.
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English or French Antique Brass Surveyor's Transit Theodolite, last quarter 19th
Located in Atlanta, GA
From Wikipedia: “A THEODOLITE is a precision optical instrument for measuring angles between designated visible points in the horizontal and vertical planes. The traditional use has been for land...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Atribb. A.L. Vago London, C.1870
By Vago
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Attributed to A.L. Vago London. C 1870 This diminutive plaster Phrenology head, attributed to A.L. Vago London circa 1870, stands as a f...
Category

19th Century English High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Antique English Victorian Brass Letter Scale & Weights, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Victorian Brass Letter Scale with Weights, Circa 1880-1890.
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique English Postal Scale Brass Oak Circa 1880-1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Postal Scale Brass Oak Circa 1880-1890
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Late 19th C Gregory Bottley Scientific Collection of Mineral Fossils Shell
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A good collection of Gregory Bottley mineral, fossils and shell all contained in there original teak trays and card board sleeves. Each specimen has its original hand written and nu...
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber, Hardwood

Antique English Brass Cased Floating Card Explorers Pocket Compass c.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A very attractive Victorian explorers compass dating to around 1890. The floating card dial pivots on a bearing and is housed under a glass crystal which is clean and free from any ...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Cylinder Sundial Late 19th Century
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 boxwood cylinder sundial, also kn...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

Antique English Mahogany Cased Compass by Stanley, London
Located in Bath, GB
A very handsome Victorian military explorer's compass dating to around 1840 / 1860 set in a hinged mahogany block measuring 2" square. The compass has a shapely blued-steel needle (...
Category

1850s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

1970s Era Harmon-Kardon 330B with Matching Omni Directional Speakers
By bose
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This item is a classic Harmon-Kardon 330B receiver retrofitted with Bluetooth module and matched with period correct Harmon-Kardon Omni Direction speakers. The Harman-Kardon 330B was...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

Antique Victorian Brass & Scottish Agate Postal Scale & Weights, Circa 1865-1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Victorian Brass and Scottish Agate Postal scale with Weights, Circa 1865-1870.
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Agate, Brass

Kinora monochrome motion picture viewer, circa 1905.
Located in London, GB
A Kinora monochrome motion picture viewer on folding dark oak base. Circa 1905. Marked: THE KINORA REGISTERED TRADE MARK PATENTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Optical Glass, Oak

Early 20th Century Boxed Pair of Crown Castle Quality Straight Razors Germany
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Early 20th Century Boxed Pair of Crown Castle Quality Straight Razors With Decorative Bakelite Handles Made and Ground In Germany From a Gentleman's Priv...
Category

Early 20th Century German Late Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open. The original use was a flea trap, things were different in the old days and...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique English Field Glasses / Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo - With Compass
By Lawrence and Mayo
Located in Bath, GB
A superb and very handsome pair of the unusual and sought-after "Lynx" binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo, dating to c.1900. These English pocket sized Field glasses or binoculars are m...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique "Le Jockey Club" 1930's Horse Racing Binoculars with Compass
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French silvered brass and brown leather Horse Racing binoculars stamped "Le Jockey Club Paris" presented in their original brown leather case. ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Cast Iron & Lacquered Brass Max Kohl Type Didactic Balance Device
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th / 20th century didactic balance device, probably made for use in a physics laboratory or classroom. In the Style of Max Kohl (1853-1908), all in lacquered brass, a semi-circular...
Category

Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1900 A folding model of an ear. It was used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1900. It is made of wood and paper mache by ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Antique Canada Post Office Balance Scale with Cast Metal Base and Brass Accents
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique postal scale is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Canada and date to approximately 1952 and done in the Late Victorian ...
Category

Late 19th Century Canadian Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

20th Century Terrestrial Globe by Peter J. Oestergaard
By Peter J. Oestergaard
Located in Madrid, ES
Early 20th century antique traditional Columbus earth globe, brass frame, papier mâché sphere and turned, ebonized wooden base. Gezeichnet & Hergestellt Peter J. Oestergaard.
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Pan Am Pan American World Airways Advertising Wall Barometer, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A round and large mid-century wall-mounted barometer / weather station from the airline PAA Pan American World Airways. Dated around the 1960s. A high-quality product, made in Western Germany...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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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