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Industrial Scientific Instruments

INDUSTRIAL STYLE

Industrial floor lamps, bar stools, desks and other industrial-style furnishings have experienced a resurgence in popularity with the rise of interest in minimalist design.

It's a look that celebrates the past even as it suggests vigor, productivity and brawn. The newly chic industrial style of decor repurposes the simple, sturdy furniture of an earlier world of commerce — brushed-metal storage cabinets and display shelves, task lamps and pendant lights with enameled shades, work tables with worn wooden tops and cast-iron bases — and couples them with aesthetic touches emblematic of energy and optimism, from bright upholstery fabrics to flowers.

The rise in prominence of the industrial style has come hand-in-hand with the residential repurposing of former manufacturing and warehouse districts throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. In many loft apartments created in shuttered factories, the architectural envelope has been left intact.

Industrial-style interiors feature elements like raw brick walls, exposed steel beams and oak floors whose history is written in every pit and gouge. Iron and glass transom windows give definition and interest to small kitchen areas anchored by kitchen islands made of marble, steel and brass, while taxidermy or vintage neon signs serve as wall art in living rooms dotted with leather club chairs. Patina is the keynote to a decor in sync with such surroundings. 

On 1stDibs you will find industrial furniture designs that wear their age beautifully — and were built to last.

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Style: Industrial
Cold War Japanese Defence Agency 15x80 Binoculars with Illumination Control
By Kowa
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Japanese Type 65 Naval Binoculars (1984) by Kowa – With Full Illumination Controls This outstanding set of Type 65 8cm twin-eye naval binoculars, manufactured by Kowa Co., Ltd. in Ap...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze

Antique Schaeffer & Budenberg Stationary Steam Engine Model w Copper Boiler
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Schaeffer & Budenberg stationary steam engine model. Made of cast iron featuring copper boiler The Budenberg Gauge Company was founded in 1918. The original pa...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Copper

Antique Rosewood Stanley No. 12 1/2 Veener Plane c.1904-1943
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Cabinet makers veneer scraper plane with Rosewood handles and bronze knobs. CREATOR Stanley Tools Inc. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1904-1943. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Solid Brass Plumb Bob with Twine c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Solid brass plumb bob. CREATOR Gammon Reel Co. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Solid Brass, Plastic. CONDITION Good. Wear consisten...
Category

19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Working English Cast Iron Cheese Press Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A rare antique and all original fully functioning cast iron English cheese press, by Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury, circa 1880. This cheese press has just ...
Category

1880s English Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Antique Rosewood and Mahogany Putty Knives
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A set of antique putty knives with Rosewood, Mahogany and brass handles. CREATOR Embee, Red Devil DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1920-1950. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Steel...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Siebe Gorman Fire Fighter Smoke Mask
By Siebe Gorman & Co.
Located in Stockholm, SE
This is an early Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd. smoke mask. These full face helmets are very rare and found mostly in museum collections. This example looks and feels like it´s never have ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Important Utah/MIT Dextrous Hand Robotic Prototype
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of two early examples of this ground breaking experimental robotic hand. Its known as the Dextrous Hand and was designed at MIT in Utah and built by Sarcos Inc. and is si...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

Early Eye Glass Trade Stimulator - Test Your Own Eyes Optometer
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early eyeglass trade stimulator... TEST YOUR OWN EYES. Its an Optometer that has a dial on the right of the device. Turn the dial and there is a double geared carousel wit...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Large Studio Portrait Camera
Located in Peekskill, NY
Cameras are not my expertise but we could not pass up on this beauty. The camera is signed ANSCO and the large lens reads DARLO OPTICIEN, PARIS 35436. I'm told that this lens is the most valuable...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Rare Early 8x10 Double Bellows Double Exposure Camera
Located in Peekskill, NY
When have you ever seen one of these? This is a first for me. This very unique camera came out of an important 2 generation New York Collection. This was a custom built double exposu...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Veterinarian Syringe c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Antique metal veterinarian serum syringe with two needle attachments and original box and label. Engraved on both sides. CREATOR O.M. Franklin Serum Company. DATE O...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Kodak No. S Model E Folding Camera c.1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT The body is wrapped in leather with red bellows. Chrome, brass and leather accents on the lens. The camera may or may not work but is sold as a decorative object. Shown with ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Huge Decorative Scientific Induction Coil
Located in Peekskill, NY
We were told that this coil was originally from West Point but there is no paperwork to back that up. We also guessed at its age. But it looks to be over 100 years. We have owned many coils over the years but nothing of this Size or quality. The wood furniture surrounding the coil is beautiful showing turned wood ends. In almost ll cases these Induction coils...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Rare Antique Agfa Ansco Readyset Traveler Folding Camera c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique Readyset Traveler folding camera. The body of camera is covered in a luggage canvas with a a pop out view finder and it folds smoothly closed to 1.5 inches. This ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

1920s Whiting Sculptoscope Coin Op Stereo Card Viewer
Located in Peekskill, NY
Original whiting sculpt scope coin-operated stereo card viewer from the 1920s. Deposit a penny, pull trigger and look through the viewer to flip through st...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Carl Zeiss cold war era 10 x 50 periscope binoculars
Located in London, GB
A cold war era Carl Zeiss Oberkochen 10 x 50 periscope binoculars, German, circa 1965. Specifications: 10 times magnification, coated optics, objective diameter 50 mm, grey filter and drop down grid. Original transport case. (included protective feet pads and rubber eye guards). Dimensions of the case: 29 x 18 1/2 x 11 inches. (73 x 47 x 28 cm). Mounted on an adjustable height tripod. Height of periscope in photographs: 77 inches. This model of Zeiss periscope...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Vintage Underwood Champion Portable Typewriter c.1946
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A vintage portable Underwood Champion Four bank typewriter in grey finish and original case. This typewriter is very clean and in good working order. It has smooth typing and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

1890s Hand Painted Life Size Anatomical of Head
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early and high quality hand-painted plaster antique anatomical model of an adult human head. I would date this to 1900. The detail...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Antique Trolley Fare Counter with Bronze Handle c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Antique steel fare register trolley counter with original manufacturers label inside. Double window with "Cash", "Tickets" and rolling numbers. Solid bronze handle on the bott...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Steel

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. Adjustable legs and built-in spirit level. Original tray made of thick white glass. The scale has been cleaned and is in very nice vintage condition. In working condition, but not entirely precisely (+/- 100 grams), it probably requires minor adjustment. A beautiful and original item for the grocery store...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Keuffel & Esser Co. Military Transit Surveyor Telescope
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Keuffel & Effer Co. military transit surveyor. It consists of a compass and a telescope. Inside the center of the compass is hallmarked Keuffel & Esser. Also over the front...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Five 19th C. French Bronze Metric (Apothecary ) Weights, Original Wooden Block
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of 5 Antique French Bronze (Apothecary) Metric Weights with Original Wooden Block, Circa 1880 A handsome and authentic set of 19th-century French bronze metric weights, housed i...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Antique J.C Ulmer Co. Survey Transit & Compass In Original Mahogany Box
Located in New York, NY
Brass and steel survey transit and compass in the original mahogany box. Made by J.C Ulmer Co. Good condition with appropriate wear from age. One availa...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Antique Steel and Brass Pruning Shears c1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Vintage steel parrot beak pruning shears with brass spring-loaded handle and lock. CREATOR P.S. & W. Co. Pexto, Cleveland, OH. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1920. MATER...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

1800s Veterinarians Horse Gag and Cutaway Skull
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early medical school demonstration model. The horse skull on its own very interesting. It shows a professionally done cutaway of the skull showing the teeth below the gum ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bone

Collection of 19th and 20th Century Spoke Shaves
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Collection of antique 19th century wood spoke shaves and early 20th century steel spoke shaves. CREATOR Stanley, Made in England. Kunz, Made in Germany. DATE OF MAN...
Category

19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Antique Salter Family Scales No 50 a Well Loved and Used Family Scales
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Antique Salter Family Scales  No 50 A well loved and used Family Scales, made by Salter, the cast iron body is in Dark green with Gold highlights, it has...
Category

1940s Vintage Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Rare Antique 19th C Reuben Sutcliffe English Nickel Plated Hanging Balance Scale
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental 19th century English general store balance by Reuben Sutcliffe of Manchester. Made from Iron with a rich nickel plated finish. The company traded on Thomas Street, Manches...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Micro-Barograph by Short & Mason of London
Located in London, GB
An open scale Micro-barograph by Short & Mason of London in enameled glass case. Number: 551/41 Seven day clockwork drive by Horstmann Gear Co Ltd, of Bath. Serial number: 7027/59 With Meteorological Office “MO” logo. Meteorological Office calibration certificate dated 27.6.96 Literature: Barometers - Aneroid and Barographs, Edwin Banfield, 1985. page 131 fig. 116. Short and Mason...
Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Decorative Butcher's Steelyard, English, Iron, Weighing Instrument, 1800
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustment of balance weight The Steel...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Oversized Industrial Pyrex Glass Bell Jar With Small Side Arm
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This oversized Industrial Pyrex glass bell jar is certainly a unique and an impressive art object. At 29" height and 20.5" diameter this bell jar, dome, clouche can be used any way y...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Thermometer by Taylor
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Antique Thermometer Taylor stamped by maker 6.5 h x 1.75 w x .75 d Original vintage Refer to images provided
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Anatomical Plaque by New York Scientific Supply Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand painted, plaster, anatomical plate by New York Scientific Supply Co. depicting the musculature and circulatory systems of the face and head on a wood plaque.
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Plaster

Large Impressive 1800s Kalidoscope
Located in Peekskill, NY
This scope is unsigned and was acquired from a European collector. It could be American but I'm guessing its not. The eyepiece and turning mechanism are brass. The tube is canvas wra...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique German Ulmia Carpenter's Toothing Wood Plane
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Antique wooden carpentry toothing plane used to make trim and moldings. Lignm Vitae wood on the bottom. Original labels. Shown with life size hand mold for scale. CREATO...
Category

19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

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

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century German Anatomical Didactic Abdominal & Pelvis Model attr. to Sommer
By Marcus Sommer
Located in London, GB
Antique Anatomical Model, Medical Antique, Anatomical Antique, Vintage Anatomical Model, Antique Cabinet of Curiosities, Gothic Antique, Anatomical Sculpture. Antique 19th Century G...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Paint, Paper

Sailing ship's pulley fiddle block
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Naval oak fiddle pulley block, with two wood sheaves. Marked with Roman Numerals: XXVIIII In sailing, a block is a single or multiple pulley. One or a number ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Phantom Dental Training Simulator on Custom Steel Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A phantom dental training simulator used in dental school with removable rubber shroud. Mounted on a custom steel stand. The aluminum jaws have a magnetic quick disconnect sys...
Category

Late 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

1911, The Lady Claire Dress Form, Very Rare
Located in Peekskill, NY
I've had an example of this dress form in my personal collection. It's an amazing piece of engineering and one of my favorite items... something I decided to never sell it. The Lady Claire...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

1800s Cast Iron Farm Well Hand Pump with Handle Piston
Located in New York, NY
1800s farmhouse and Industrial style cast iron hand pump. Unknown working condition but great look. Sold as is. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category

19th Century American Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Antique Brass Plumber's Blowtorch c.1900, Made in England
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique brass Heathware No: 66 English plumber's blowtorch with a Bakelite handle. Original sticker. Shown with life size hand model for scale. CREATOR Heathware Pr...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

20th Century German Glass Case Scale
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 20th-century German scale encased in a glass and wood frame is a fine example of precision engineering and functional design. The scale features a b...
Category

20th Century German Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

French Antique Contin Typewriter from the, 1940s
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French antique Contin Typewriter from the 1940s This is a Contin Continsouza Paris, Modèle A n 24 - 1940s, the typewriter is good tidy condition, as a show piece, it all seems to...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

19th Century Shop Double Paper Roll Cutter Dispenser
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century shop double paper roll cutter dispenser This is a rare and very unusual paper roll cutter, the stand is made in Beech and Iron, it ho...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

19th c. D.R. Barton Smooth Coffin Plane c.1832
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Rare D handled smooth coffin plane. CREATOR D.R. Barton. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1832. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Walnut, Steel. CONDITION Good. Wear consiste...
Category

19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Antique Draw Knife and Mezzaluna Knife c.1860-1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Antique 12 inch draw knife with wooden handles and one mezzaluna knife with Beech handles. Brass collars. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c. 1860-1900. MAT...
Category

19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel, Brass

Gallon chekpump for Northamptonshire County Council
Located in London, GB
A copper and brass one gallon "chekpump" standard fuel measure for Northamptonshire County Council. Circa 1915.
Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Copper

Late 19th Century Scientific "Cyclo-Stormograph" by Short & Mason Tycos
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and appears to be completely intact. Short & Mason Tycos Cyclo-Stormograph under beveled glass & mahogany with a drawer which contains extra graph paper, tiny key and origin...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Marconi-Newton type constant speed windmill propeller, dated 1926.
Located in London, GB
A twin bladed aluminum Marconi-Newton type 182S constant speed windmill dated 1926. MARCONI-NEWTON CONSTANT SPEED WINDMILL PAT. No 262558/1926 3500 R.P.M. 85/300 M.P.H TYPE 182S N...
Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Very Large Ophtalmotrope
Located in Peekskill, NY
What is an ophthalmotrope? An ophthalmotrope is an apparatus for demonstrating the movements of the eye and the action of the different muscles which produce them, consisting essentially of a model eyeball to which are attached strings and pulleys to duplicate the line force of the muscles. We think this example is most likely French from the early 20th century. The base is marble with paw feet. It’s also quite large at well over 3 foot tall. This instrument is very complete. It also includes additional parts to set the mechanics up in a different way. In the pictures above the strings are attached to a keyboard. The alternative replaces the keyboard with string guide with a dozen hanging tubular weights. This is one of the largest and most decorative examples we have seen. I have only seen pictures of ophthalmotropes and never one this fine and complete. It’s as rare and impressive show piece. This item was also used in the movie Knives Out,
Category

Early 20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th c. Bronze, Rosewood and Ebony Try Squares c.1850-1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Collection of six 19th century try squares with bronze, Ebony, Rosewood, and steel handles. The Halsted & Ackerman is a rare combination square with a pop out bevel from the b...
Category

19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Steel

20th Century French Glass Case Scale
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 20th-century French scale encased in glass is a functional and decorative piece that reflects a blend of craftsmanship and practical design. The scale is housed within a black w...
Category

20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

Vintage Oil Can
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Copper Force Feed Oil Can. An automotive tin oil can. A fantastic piece of vintage motoring ephemera, the perfect gift for the motoring enthusiast. Who would have thought the...
Category

20th Century British Industrial 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

Antique German Head & Shoulders Anatomical Model by F & M Lautenschläger
Located in London, GB
Antique Anatomical Model, Medical Antique, Anatomical Antique, Vintage Anatomical Model, Antique Cabinet of Curiosities, Gothic Antique, Anatomical Sculpture. Antique German Head & ...
Category

1910s German Vintage Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Collection of 19th c. Mortise Marking Guages
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Collection of 19th century Rosewood and Boxwood mortise marking gauges with bronze knobs and accents. One is stamped "Pat. Oct. 22, 1872". CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF M...
Category

19th Century Antique Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Wooden Surveyor's Transit Scope Tripod c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Vintage wooden surveyor's transit scope tripod with painted feet and metal top. CREATOR Possibly Dietzgen. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940s. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Copper

Seldom Seen Authentic Exploding Skull, Medical, After Claude Beauchêne
By Claude Beauchene
Located in Buffalo, NY
Authentic Exploding Skull Originally created by Edmé François Chauvot de Beauchêne (ca.1780-1830), a French anatomist and surgeon, developed this disarticulation method to comprehensively show all the cranial bones and their connections. The exploded skull...
Category

Early 20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Industrial scientific instruments for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Industrial scientific instruments for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage scientific instruments created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Industrial scientific instruments made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original scientific instruments, popular names associated with this style include Short & Mason , Berkel, Casella, and Crouse-Hinds. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for scientific instruments differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $52,265 while the average work can sell for $995.

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