Skip to main content

Modern Scientific Instruments

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

1
to
1
1
1
1
5
4
1
1
1
1
13
3
2
4
5
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Modern
Period: 1920s
Camera Gilles-Faller 'Paris' Studio with Easel, France, circa 1925
By Gilles-Faller
Located in Madrid, ES
Study camera with bellows in very good condition, two objectives and mounted on easel on casters for professional use that has crank for the adjustment of the camera in height and in...
Category

1920s French Vintage Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Related Items
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 Antique Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Circa 1900 French Opera Glasses by Colmont F.T Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900 opera glasses by Colmont F.T, Paris, France. Mother of pearl with gilt brass star & bead bandings. The mounts are unusually fine & rarely found. 3 7/8" w., 1.5" d., 2 3/8"...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Sony Vintage Vidicon Video Camera, Circa 1969, Classic, Iconic With Tripod
By Sony Corporation
Located in Dallas, US
Submitted for your consideration is this, circa 1969, Sony vintage Vidicon industrial television camera complete with a studio viewfinder and a Sony TV z...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Camera / Enlarger Circa 1910s
Located in Wallkill, NY
Early Wooden Antique Camera / Enlarger Circa 1910s Please look at the photos, this has not been touched in decades. It is just the way you would like to find it, untouched. True anti...
Category

1910s American Vintage Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Camera / Enlarger Circa 1910s
Antique Camera / Enlarger Circa 1910s
H 35 in W 13.5 in D 35 in
Combination Board Game of Marble Solitaire and Tiddlywinks, circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete combination board game of marble solitaire and tiddlywinks, dating to the early 20th century. This is a most unusual and very de...
Category

Early 20th Century English Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Paris Mythique, Mythical Paris, French-English Book by Parigramme, 2013
By Modern History
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paris Mythique, 100 Photos de Legende (Mythical Paris, 100 Legendary Photographs), French and English book published by Parigramme. Has a city ever been photographed as much as Paris...
Category

2010s French Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Large Format Box Camera, circa 1915
Located in Hudson, NY
This large format box camera was made by the Folmer & Schwing Division of Eastman Kodak in Rochester NY. The case constructed of mahogany in a rich old red finish has many original details and was being used as a working camera until around 1960. See photo 5 for a retrofitted aftermarket shutter lens that was its last upgrade and done professionally to make the antique camera...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather, Glass, Wood

Thorens "Excelda" Camera Phone Phonograph Player circa 1930s Very Rare
By Thorens
Located in Oakland, CA
This is an authentic Excelda portable gramophone, the portable phonograph of the 1930's that resembled the pocket cameras of that time (usually ref...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

"Dancing Dog" Vintage Windup Toy. American, Circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Dancing Dog" is a fairly scarce toy to acquire, especially in this excellent condition and working order. Windup toy is lithographed and hand painted in colors of black and greenish grey, and the name "Spot" is printed in bold letters on the red collar. This is American made in the 1920's having been manufactured by the Lindstrom Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut; established in 1913. Markings to each side of the dog reveal its genesis; "The Lindstrom Tool and Toy Co.; Made in U.S.A." "Patent Applied For"; on the other side is "Dancing Dog". "Dancing Dog" is in excellent condition and is completely original with no repairs or repaint. It works perfectly and is quite amusing. To operate; wind up the attached key on the side, a couple of times; with front legs in the air, place down by his hind legs on a hard surface and watch "Spot" dance. He carries on for quite some time, dancing around in a circle and then side to side. (see attached video accompanying the listing). Dimensions: 5 1/4" wide x 4" high x 2 1/4" deep. Provenance: From a recently acquired discerning West Coast Collection of tin toys. See my other listings of vintage toys. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace. My toys operate properly and are as stated and accurately described. it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin toys...
Category

1920s American Vintage Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Tin

Gilles & Boissier
Located in New York, NY
Author Dorothée Boissier and Patrick Gilles, Text by Pierre Léonforte, Foreword by Remo Ruffini The French design duo Gilles & Boissier presents their sumptuously chic interiors and the artistic inspirations behind them. In 2004, Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier—partners both at work and in life—founded their Paris-based interior design studio and furniture line, Gilles & Boissier. The maturity of their style, their simple yet sophisticated aesthetic, and the cinematographic compositions of their interiors allowed the brand to quickly ascend and gain reputation. Front-page designers in the world of interiors, they create projects for private clients and luxury brands all over the world. A unique celebration of their approach to contemporary design, this debut monograph centers on the duo’s love of art, and how this shared passion has inspired their interiors. The designers present the inspirations behind their must renowned projects: the much-lauded Baccarat Hotel in New York is an ode to sensual, maximalist style; a palatial private residence on Italy’s Lake Como emerges as a study of classical beauty; while a traditional French vacation home in Biarritz comes alive amidst lively pieces by Wolfang Tillmans, among others. Part interior design monograph, part art book, this new volume will appeal to anyone with an interest in visual arts and stylish French interiors. About The Author Dorothée Boissier and Patrick Gilles are the founders of their eponymous interior design firm and furniture line. They reside in Paris. Pierre Léonforte is a French journalist. Cofounder and contributor to the Louis Vuitton City Guides...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Gilles & Boissier
Gilles & Boissier
H 14 in W 11 in D 1.3 in
Antique French "Iris Paris" Mother-of-Pearl Opera Glasses, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French "Iris Paris" Mother-of-Pearl Opera Glasses, Circa 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

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 Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Large Studio Portrait Camera
Large Studio Portrait Camera
H 58 in W 28 in D 36 in

Modern scientific instruments for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern scientific instruments for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, 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 and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern scientific instruments made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original scientific instruments, popular names associated with this style include Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Brionvega, Montblanc, and Edison. 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 $64 and tops out at $25,284 while the average work can sell for $1,765.

Recently Viewed

View All