Antique Scientific Instruments
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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
Category
19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Scarce Early 20th Century French Richard Jules Mahogany Cased Barograph
By Jules Richard
Located in Forney, TX
handcrafted in Paris, France, in the early 20th century, this fine weather forecasting scientific instrument
Category
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Large Wrought Iron Mid-19th Century Scale from Catalonia
Located in Dallas, TX
wrought iron scale is a well-preserved scientific instrument from the 19th century and would make a topic
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
A Wellington commemorative barometer retailed by Wehrle and Steuert
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
movement was made by the Somalvico family, barometer and scientific instrument makers from Holborn, London
Category
1850s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Small Antique 6 Draw Pocket Telescope, English, Travel, Baker, London, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
trips
A delightful piece for collectors of scientific instruments, Victorian optics, or field gear
Category
1860s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Telescope, English, 6-Draw, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Victorian, 1860
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique telescope, an English six-draw terrestrial or maritime instrument, dating to the
Category
1860s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Chrome Plated Brass Cross-Legged Reduction Compass
Located in Milan, IT
free.
The reduction compass was invented by the Swiss manufacturer of scientific instruments Jost
Category
1890s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Maritime, Day or Night, Richardson, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
scientific instruments
Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display
Grand in both
Category
1820s British Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Three-Draw Telescope, English, Walnut, Brass, Navigation, Georgian, 1790
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
and gentle use
A handsome piece for the collector of nautical antiques or scientific instruments
Category
1790s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron
Metal Balance Scale #1, Circa 1890s
By Henry Troemner
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
scientific instruments.
In excellent antique condition with minor wear consistent with age.
Overall
Category
Late 19th Century American High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron
Oxidised Surveyors Level by Reid and Young
Located in Norwich, GB
&20 Cambridge St, Glasgow
Source: Directory of British scientific instrument makers 1550-1851 by
Category
1920s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Shibayama Pair of Opera Glasses in original case by Negretti
Zambra
Located in London, GB
the firm which would eventually be appointed opticians and scientific instrument makers to Her Majesty
Category
1880s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Rare Sikes’ Hydrometer (Alcohol Proof Tester) Set Atkey
Son, Cowes, C. 1830
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
’ hydrometer set, by Atkey & Son of Cowes, a noted English maker of fine scientific instruments. Elegantly
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Ericsson Mahogany and Brass Morse Telegraph Register
By L.M. Ericsson
Located in Sweden, SE
scientific instruments or educational demonstrations of early 20th-century communication systems.
DETAILS
Category
Mid-19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique Napoleon III Parisian Giltwood Barometer, "Bodeur a Paris", Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
the base of the column on the neck.
Although no longer functional as a scientific instrument (the
Category
1830s French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
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 man...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Scientific Handblown Glass Vacuum Dome
Located in Norwalk, CT
A really neat way to display something amazing this is a really thick quality piece of handblown glass from the early 1900s.
Category
Early 20th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
19th century Sikes scientific hydrometer set
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
. These instruments where used to measure the alcohol content in liquid. Complete with weights and float
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument. By putting two electrically neutral spheres in
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Blown Glass
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument. By putting two electrically neutral spheres in
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Blown Glass
Albert Munsell Color Sphere Antique Scientific 3-D Model
Located in San Diego, CA
, reflecting Munsell’s scientific approach to color perception rather than a purely decorative palette. The
Category
Early 1900s American American Classical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Decorative Scientific Concave Mercury Mirror Maroon Leather Ebony
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A unusual scientific mirror, French in origin circa 1880
The mirror is mercury, with age related
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Leather, Mirror, Ebony
Mechanical Equatorial Sundial, Johann Michael Bergauer, Ante 1745
By Johann Michael Bergauer
Located in Milano, IT
, passim;
- Francis Ward, A catalogue of scientific instruments in the Department of Medieval and later
Category
1730s Austrian Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Drawing Instrument Set in Rosewood Box 1900
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Drawing Instrument Set in Rosewood Box, France, 1900.
A wonderful set of drawing
Category
Early 20th Century French Arts and Crafts Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Circa 1890 French Satinwood Concave Distortion Mirror Viewer Scientific
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Circa 1890 French concave mirror card viewer, all constructed of French polished light wood, with ebonised stained elements.
Sliding card holder, hinged handle and mirror. In part...
Category
1890s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Satinwood
Scientific tool for demonstrating the refraction of light, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Scientific tool for demonstrating and assessing the refraction of light. Constructed in boxed metal
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Scientific tool for demonstrating the refraction of light, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Scientific tool for demonstrating and assessing the refraction of light. Constructed in boxed metal
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Scientific "Cyclo-Stormograph" by Short
Mason Tycos
By Short
Mason
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 an...
Category
Early 1900s English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19th Century Portable Doctor’s Box with Partial Medical Instruments
Located in Madrid, ES
instruments, some of which are still present. This compact and functional piece reflects the medical practices
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century Glazed Specimen Box Containing Wheat Agricultural Scientific Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rustically produced 19th century glazed specimen box containing wheat and grain hybrids.
The pine hinged box opens to reveal two glazed and segmented sections, with a painted blue...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine
Antique Barometer Altimeter, English, Explorer
s Instrument, Hicks, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pocket barometer altimeter. An English, oak cased explorer's instrument by Hicks
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Surgical instrument: forceps, late 19th century, United States 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A surgical instrument from the late 19th early 20th century. An iron tong. SS White Maker, H.C
Category
Early 20th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Antique EH Sargent Labratory Precision Orsat Gas Analyzer Apparatus Case 21"
By Sargent Welch Scientific Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th - early 20th century Orsat gas analyzer apparatus with absorption pipettes and hardwood case, produced by E.H. Sargent & Company.
An Orsat gas analyser or Orsat apparatus ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Rubber, Hardwood
$1,260 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Cased Octant, Scottish, Ebony, Navigation Instrument, Sextant, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased octant. A Scottish, ebony navigational instrument, dating to the Victorian
Category
1850s British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ebony, Walnut
Antique Cased Optometrist
s Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument box, dating to
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Large 1920
s Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Educational Ear Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
Large 1920's Vintage scientific anatomical human 3D ear model. Large 16" scale and wonderful
Category
1920s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber, Wood
$250 Sale Price
74% Off
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English Brass, Terrestrial Instrument, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
instruments, scientific antiques, or nautical décor
Presenting a wonderful balance of aesthetic charm and
Category
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1893 Antique Lippich Brass Polarimeter Antique Physic Analysis Instrument
By Societé Genevoise
Located in Milan, IT
Lippich polarimeter, scientifi instrument made in 1893 signed Societé Genevoise Genève, brass and
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A botanic scientific specimen of Spruce, Paravia
co, Milan, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare example of a botanical maquette for didactic use by Professor T. Ferraris, depicting a (natural) strobilus and a scale with ovules (about 12 times enlarged) of Spruce (Picea e...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
England Early 1900 Brass Galvanometer Antique Physic Measuring Instrument
By Philip Harris Ltd.
Located in Milan, IT
Moving coil brass galvanometer with three-screw base, instrument signed Philip Harris Ltd
Category
Early 20th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Surgical instrument: a scalpel, late 19th century, United States 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A surgical instrument from the late 19th early 20th century. An iron scalpel. With brass handle
Category
Early 20th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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 Pocket Field Microscope, English, Brass, Instrument, Edwardian, C.1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scientist's field microscope. An English, brass, pocket instrument, dating to
Category
Early 20th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Anatomical Model of Human Eye Papier-maché, Scientific Collectables, Dr.Auzoux
By Dr. Louis Auzoux
Located in Leuven , BE
Anatomical cut of one eye, composition in natural painted papier-maché, with numbered labels on the different elements / the opening eyeball to cover the removable pute. Pen annotati...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper, Plaster
Stick Barometer Mahogany Board Antique Weather Measuring Instrument J. Ramsden
By Jesse Ramsden
Located in Milan, IT
-1800) was a well-known manufacturer of meteorological instruments, famous not only in London, but
Category
1780s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Pair of Cased Binoculars, English, Brass, Optical Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pair of cased binoculars. An English, enamel brass optical instrument, dating to
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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 Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
1860s Torricellian Barometer Oak Wood Negretti
Zambra Old Weather Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
, was the fist one in 1643 to make an instrument for measure changes of air pressure.
Man, as farmer or
Category
1860s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Antique Pestle
Mortar Set, English, Brass, Chemist Shop Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pestle and mortar set. An English, brass chemist shop instrument, dating to the
Category
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Optometrist
s Set, English, Optical Instrument Case, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument case, dating to the
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Set of Vintage Draughtsman
s Rules, English, Engineer
s Instruments, circa 1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of vintage draughtsman's rules. An English, beech engineer's instrument set in a
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
19th Century Mahogany Barometer F Somalvico Antique Weather Measuring Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
of the barometer for the correct positioning of the instrument on the wall, with the name of the
Category
1810s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Vineyard Setter
s Compass, French, Brass, Surveyor
s Instrument, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique vineyard setter's compass. A French, brass surveyor's instrument with mahogany
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Wooden Barometer Signed Burlinson Ripon Antique Instrument Weather
Located in Milan, IT
. Scientific studies about these changes began in the middle ofXVII century, following experiments about the
Category
1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th C Wax F.Ziegler Anatomical Models Studies Embryo Plant Scientific Medical
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rare pair of wax studies by F.Ziegler taken from the imagery of F.Keibel
We believe the larger of the two models to be off a human embryo and the other to be of a plant.
The ...
Category
1890s German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th C Surveyors Metamorphic Instrument Box/Table A very rare piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th C Surveyors Metamorphic Instrument Box/Table
A very rare piece, the carrying box originally
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
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Antique Scientific Instruments For Sale on 1stDibs
There is a range of antique scientific instruments for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique scientific instruments was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, wood and brass. Antique scientific instruments have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Victorian, Industrial and Louis XVI antique scientific instruments are consistently popular styles. Antique scientific instruments have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by LeMaire Paris, W
T Avery and Dollond, London are consistently popular.
Finding the Right Scientific-instruments for You
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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Phrenology Head
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Butcher Bull Head
Mother Of Pearl Inlay Trunk
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Antique Octant
Antique Pharmacy Scales
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Barometer 1820
Brass Kaleidoscope
Compass Drafting
Dutch Barometer
French Brass Compass
Rosewood Barometer
Slide Rule
Wax Anatomical Model
Wooden Box With Key