Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$172 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Mid-Century Italian Giorgio Armani Eye Glasses Factice Shop Display Piece
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a rare and unique item! The Armani Eyeglasses Factic for display in a shop comes with its original cardboard packaging and is made of metal a...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Theater binoculars with scalloped silver coating and red cabochon-shaped stones
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Theater binoculars with cut-out silver lining and red cabochon-shaped stones. Metal: Silver. Origin: European. Mark: Absent. Weight: 218.53 grams. Dimensions: 8.5cm x 11...
Category
20th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
$750 Sale Price
50% Off
Electrostatic machine by Wimshurst, designed by Rinaldo Damiani, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Electrostatic machine by Wimshurst, a British engineer and shipowner, designed in the 1880s, created by Rinaldo Damiani, a builder active in Venice between the end of the nineteenth ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
English Marine Barometer with Rope Carved Case
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century library barometer with rope carved case. Great old piece. Fitted with a brass hanging tab. Circa 1920.
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
London Mid-19th Century Vanity Kit Set Sterling Silver
Located in Brescia, IT
Not easy to find this original box, with this kit set composed of 8 pieces for nail manicure. A piece to collect or to add in a wunderkammer.
In sterling silver, all marked.
With ce...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
$384 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$134 Sale Price
20% Off
British Admiralty Pattern Clinometer Inspectors Level
Located in Norwell, MA
World War II Bristish inspectors Mark III admiralty pattern clinometer by Watts and Son, London, England. The heavy brass relic is in a fitted hardwood case. The instrument consists ...
Category
1940s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Portable Wooden Sundial
Located in Madrid, ES
Charming portable sundial crafted in engraved wood, dating from the 19th century.
This compact timekeeping instrument exemplifies the practical elegance and craftsmanship of traditio...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
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 bra...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Collection of French Opaline Apothecary Jars
Located in Copenhagen, K
Collection of 20 opaline apothecary jars from the 19th century.
Collection consists of 14 larger jars and 6 smaller jars.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Opaline Glass
$135 / item
19th Century Portable Wooden Sundial
Located in Madrid, ES
Charming portable sundial crafted in engraved wood, dating from the 19th century.
This compact timekeeping instrument exemplifies the practical elegance and craftsmanship of traditio...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
20th Century Steel
Brass Copernican Armillary Sphere c.1930
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A 20th Century Copernican Armillary Sphere crafted in polished steel and brass. This instrument illustrates the celestial motion of the solar system, with origins tracing back to anc...
Category
20th Century European Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Eames Office radio for Emerson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A nice radio design by the Eames office. Model 578A.
Mahogany veneer case with plastic face and dials.
Category
1940s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Brass and Malachite Scales by Halstaff
Hannaford
Located in Northampton, GB
Malachite Base Mounted in Brass
From our Accessories collection, we are delighted to offer these Bronze Gilded Malachite Postal Scales by Halstaff and Hannaford, London. The scales ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Malachite, Brass
Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera c.1937-1939
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome and black accents and flip out view finder.
Shown with life size hand. Sold as decorative o...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
$140 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique the Vetter Co Ideal Planetarium Model 1930s in Original Case
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique The Vetter Co. Ideal Planetarium Model 1930s in original case. Item features an original metal case, brass and metal construction, original label, very nice antique item...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Kitchen 40 Pound Scale Cast Iron Balance w/ Ironstone Plate
By Young Son
Marlow
Located in Hyattsville, MD
No chips or cracks to the Stoneware tray. Heavy item about 60 lbs. Seems to be working, but you will need counterweights to use it, that will go on the metal tray.
Ironstone stone...
Category
19th Century American High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Charming Vintage Gentleman
s Library Telescope
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage gentleman's library telescope
Not sure exactly of it's age. Estimated Mid Victorian Period ( 1860-1880). Uncertain to maker and origin.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Renaissance Wood Hour Glass
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance-style (20th Century) large dark wood hour glass with brass finials.
Category
20th Century British Renaissance Revival Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood
By Somso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood
An antique hand-painted anatomical wall model depicting the structure of the human skin with roots of the hair. T...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$172 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian-transalpine time dial paper on wood board. Giusti, Nerici, Italy 1781.
Located in Milan, IT
An Italian and transalpine hour dial in paper printed on a fruitwood board. The base, in turned boxwood, has a wavy profile and distinct edge, at the top of which is mounted the rect...
Category
1780s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Portable Sundial Signed “Dollond London” — Wood and Brass
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant 19th-century portable sundial, signed “Dollond London”, finely crafted in wood and brass.
The renowned Dollond family of London were among the most distinguished makers of sc...
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Engraved Brass Portable Sundial Signed “Menant à Paris”
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant portable brass sundial, finely engraved and signed “Menant à Paris”, demonstrating the precision and artistry of French scientific instrument making.
This compact and beautif...
Category
1740s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Ernst Plank Steam Engine
Located in Madrid, ES
The Ernst Plank steam engine is a fascinating and remarkable piece, especially the Union model with dimensions of 43x14x14 cm. Manufactured by the Ernst Plank brand, this steam engin...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
$2,185
Modernist Barometer, French, circa 1930
s
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Modernist Barometer, French, circa 1930's, well designed, working order.
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Through the Lens: 19th Century Standing Magnifying Glass
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully crafted 19th-century standing magnifying glass, featuring a circular lens mounted within an elegant, square wooden frame. The frame is supported by four turned spindles...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Curiosity Cabinet Collection of Shells, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$144 Sale Price
20% Off
Accordion by Sabatino Nocentini
Figli Made in Florence, Italy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Italian custom made accordion by Sabatino Nocentini Castiglion & Figli.
Antique pearl white accordion, Italian accordion with profuse inlay decoration, gorgeous hand made wit...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Abalone, Wood, Shell
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shells, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$153 Sale Price
20% Off
Nautical Log in Its Wooden Box to Measure Boats Speed Walker Early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Log of brass signed Walker’s Excelsior IV Patent Log, For Yacht, Motor Launches and Fishing Craft from the early 1900s.
It is an ancient nautical instrumen...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Mid-20th Century Encased Botanic Flower Samples
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century Encased Botanic Flower Samples
Dimensions in inches: H 5.5” x W 3” x D 0.8”
Age: Mid 20th century
Origin: EU
Condition: Aged
Overview
Encased in numbered resin ...
Category
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Resin
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 Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bone
Nineteenth Century Ships Octant
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships octant from circa 1850 with an engraved scale to 100 degrees. With peepsight, mirrors, colored lenses, etc. Fitted to a step up box. Some old repairs and replacement wood to li...
Category
1850s North American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$144 Sale Price
20% Off
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$172 Sale Price
20% Off
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
A terrestral globe signed Périgot, published by Delagrave, Paris 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A Medium-sized terrestrial globe, made of papier-mâché, finished with pastille and completed by the application of paper spindles imprinted with intaglio printing. Color touch-ups. T...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$153 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Early 20th c. French Medical Hand Model c.1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Early 20th century large French plaster hand model used as a medical teaching device. Lacquered plaster custom heavy steel stand.
Shown with life size hand model.
CREA...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
$1,195 Sale Price
58% Off
Curiosity Cabinet Collection of Shell, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$172 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard
Located in Udenhout, NL
Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard, in a good state.
Category
1940s Belgian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Slate
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shells Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
$163 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-20th Century “National” Red Painted Brass Cash Register
Located in Madrid, ES
Decorative “National” cash register from the 20th century, made of brass painted in red, with elegant detailing and classic industrial design.
This impressive piece retains its origi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th century French Brass Thermometer, 1900s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Elegant wall thermometer dating from the early 20th century, around 1900.
Crafted in finely worked brass, it features openwork and engraved decorations with vegetal and geometric mot...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique 20thC English Solid Silver
Guilloché Enamel Magnifying Glass c.1912
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 20th Century English solid silver and guilloché enamel magnifying glass. The lens is set within a plain silver rim, complemented by a finely engine-turned silver handle, fini...
Category
20th Century British Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Space Age Orange Vintage Television Ikaro by Minerva, 1970s, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age orange vintage television from plastic model Ikaro by Minerva, 1970s, Austria.
This portable television with an orange plastic casing by ...
Category
1970s Austrian Space Age Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Antique Roman Bronze Rare Architects Geometrical Compass/Divider 3.AD
Located in Doha, QA
Extremely rare and one of a kind ancient Roman bronze geometrical compass/divider. It is in an excellent condition for its age. The Compass is displayed on a dark marble block with a...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Bronze
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
A pair of celestial and terrestrial globes, E.Pini, Gussoni
Dotti, Italy 1892.
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of Italian globes. On an ebonized wooden base, worked on the lathe, with a circular foot and perfect patina, are placed: a celestial globe of 9,2 inches, compiled by the enginee...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Fine 18th-century solid brass sector, signed Butterfield, Paris, 1720-1750
Located in Bilzen, BE
Fine 18th-century solid brass sector, signed Butterfield, Paris, dating from circa 1720–1750.
A rare and fully authentic scientific instrument from the renowned Butterfield workshop,...
Category
Early 18th Century French Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Oversized Industrial Pyrex Glass Bell Jar With Small Side Arm
By Pyrex
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
Exclusive Antique Armillary Sphere
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky consisting of a spherical framework of rings, centred on the Earth or the Sun, that represent lin...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, SOMSO, Germany circa 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made of plaster, glass and painted paper mache, metal hooks, holding on a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Anatomical model of a chiken, Germany 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
A life-size anatomical model of a chicken, with separable anatomical parts, for educational use. Made of painted plaster, wooden and metal base. Somso, Germany circa 1930.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Teaching Model Stages of the Appendix, Ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted anatomical model of the appendix in different stages. It is made of plaster and mounted on a wooden base. Manufactured most probably by SOMSO or PHYWE, G...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic twentieth century boat compass by American maker Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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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