Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
19th c. Varville
Son Plow Plane c.1870-1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Solid wood carpenter's wood plane with steel and bronze accents. Stamped on both sides.
CREATOR Varville & Son, York, UK.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1870-1900.
MATE...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Steel
19th Century Asian Bronze Portable Sundial with Semi-Precious Stones
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare Asian portable sundial from the 19th century, beautifully crafted in bronze and adorned with semi-precious stones.
This exquisite instrument combines scientific function with ar...
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Portable Sundial in Wooden Case
Located in Madrid, ES
19th Century Portable Sundial in Wooden Case
Charming portable sundial from the 19th century, housed in its original wooden case.
This compact instrument exemplifies the craftsmanshi...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Vintage Carl Zeiss
Theo 010
Theodolite
Tripod
Case mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
A stunning and highly decorative Carl Zeiss 'Theo 010' theodolite Numbered 223278. Complete with a fitted oak case and oak tripod, dating from the mid 20th Century,
This vintage Zei...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Antique Mineral Specimen Collection
Located in London, GB
A rare set of antique mineral specimen jars.
Some remnants of labels.
Some solid rocks others are powders.
Sourced in Holland.
Dimensions:...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted to its original hardwood bo...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Baume Mercier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Wristwatch
Bracelet
Original Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique ladies wristwatch was made by the well known Baume et Mercier of Switzerland in approximately 1920 in their period style. The wa...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
French Wooden and Iron Cheese Press, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a double trestle base and a threaded press, the surface with a raised edge and a drain spout.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Antique English Oak and Brass Postal Scale
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English oak and brass postal scale.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Glass Pharmacy Wound Syringe in Beech Case by Wm Toogood Ltd
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Glass Pharmacy Wound Syringe in Beech Case by Wm Toogood Ltd
The Glass Syringe comes in its original turned Beech case and has the Pharmacy label on the front
The box is 9” long and...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
19th Century Victorian Scale Model Of A Gas Meter, Crystal Palace Expo, c.1851
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique mid-19th Century Victorian very rare cast iron scale model of the original meter used to measure the amount of gas used at the Crystal Palace, in Hyde Park during the Great E...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest
By Carl Zeiss
Located in Delft, NL
Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest, Germany
Zeiss 8x56B T*P* Black Forest Edition binocular, model number 525661
Made of shock-absorbing, non-slip and ru...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
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
Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Italy, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Roma, IT
Antique bronze mortar. Handmade with pestle. Original patina
Italian bronze mortar and pestle
Measures: Pestle height 7.5 in.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Grand Tour Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique Yacht Or Boat Binnacle Compass by Polaris
By Polaris
Located in Norwell, MA
Boat compass in binnacle with hinged lid, sidelight, brass hook, etc. Very fine condition. Gimballed compass is by Polaris. Great piece.
Overall dimensions: 11"H x 7"D x 8"L. 5 po...
Category
1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Mid-Century Globe Meat Slicer Sculptural Enameled Iron
Stainless
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and powerful, 1/4hp GM Delco motor. Globe deli meat slicer from the forties. Super quiet motor with a new cord and switch. In excellent vintage co...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stainless Steel, Enamel, Iron, Chrome, Steel
Vintage Wooden Level - Teak and Brass Dual Window Spirit Level - J Rabone
Sons
By J. Rabone
Sons
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage wooden level. Constructed with teak and brass. Dual Window spirit Level. Manufactured by- J Rabone & Sons Birmingham, England.
Dimensions: 9" W x 1...
Category
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Old Japanese Yagen Iron Mortar Grinder Crushing Tool
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage old Japanese Yagen iron mortar grinder crushing tool.
Tool used to grind medicine.
Dimensions: 7" H x 5.5" W x 21.75" D
Delivery within 200 miles ...
Category
1890s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Kilgore Authentic Anatomical Preparation Human Skull
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Prepared by legendary medical supply company Kilgore International, this is an advanced anatomical reference human skull!
An exceptional authentic vint...
Category
1950s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bone
Scandinavian Modern Ericsson Mint Green COBRA Vintage Rotary Dial Phone 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Scandinavian Modern Ericsson "COBRA" mint green vintage rotary phone 1950s. This phone was made in Ohio and is in very good condition with no issues. It does dial out but does not ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Antique Surveyor
s Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880"
Description: Antique Surveying Circumferentor by Brand Frères
Brand Frères, Optic...
Category
Mid-19th Century Belgian Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A GERMAN ANATOMICAL MODEL OF a PREGNANT WOMAN STEPHEN ZICK
Located in Madrid, ES
A GERMAN ANATOMICAL MODEL OF A PREGNANT WOMAN STEPHEN ZICK
The woman with articulated arms, removable torso revealing internal organs, lying on a couch with cushion incised and modelled with simulated lace.On a later wood box.
Stephen Zick was one of a dynasty of carvers active from the late 16th to the 18th century in Nuremberg, . Such models, as well as carved skulls, were conceived as teaching tools and were inspired by the drawings of Andrea Vesalius...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Silk strength tester by Goodbrands
Co of Manchester and Stalybridge
Located in London, GB
A wall mounted silk strength tester by Goodbrands & Co of Manchester and Stalybridge, circa 1910.
Quadrant scale marked: 16 ozs. X ¼ oz. 4 lbs X 1 oz. (4/330)
Vertical scale divide...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Binoculars Opera Glasses with Leather Case
Located in Miami, FL
Binoculars opera glasses with leather case.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
Hughes Telegraph Set Built by Siemens
Halske 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Hughes typewriting telegraph .A Printing Telegraph Set built by Siemens & Halske .This teletyper was invented by David Edward Hughes in 1856.Good condicion overall.Similar telegraph ...
Category
19th Century German Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality carved oak banjo barometer having a quality carved oak shaped case with a brass bezel, porcelain dial with original hands and a thermometer
An attractive ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Surveyor
s Pole and Logging Measuring Stick c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Original yellow 72" surveyor's pole and one logging measuring stick. The logging measuring stick is numbered on 4 sides and has a flat brass base that originally allowed it to...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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 d...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Lucite Hourglass Sand Timer Sculpture After Charles Hollis Jones 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury hourglass in bubble lucite with straight external lines. This fantastic item was produced in Italy during the 1970s in the manner of Charles Hollis Jones.
The 15-minute sand timer...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Lucite
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 d...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Large Dryad Wooden Paper Guillotine
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large dryad wooden paper Guillotine
Well used and still working well, the makers name is in the centre of the front, all in good used condition,
...
Category
Early 20th Century International Style Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
Bronze Mortar - Italy - 16th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Italian Renaissance bronze mortar with his pestle - 16th century
Very beautiful model with AN in its center surmounted by a cross below .
The mortar is decorated with several...
Category
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
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 case and stand, dating to the late Victorian period, c...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Italian Mid-Century White Metal Vertical Medical Scale by Salus, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century White metal Vertical medical scale by Salus, 1960s
Vertical medical scale in white painted metal. In the upper part it has a metal b...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
U.S. Navy Steel and Brass Quadrant, First Half of the 20th Century
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique steel and brass quadrant, first half of the 20th century, made in London for the U.S. Navy, in very good condition with lenses, shades and scale. The essential mariner's navi...
Category
Early 20th Century English Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Still, Copper, Iron, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Still with flared copper body, cap on the top with the usual piece on these objects and a simple support to place the appliance on the fire. It has four iron handles to move it. This...
Category
19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper, Iron
A Very Fine Half Plate Camera on Oak Tripod by Benetfink
Co. London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine well figured mahogany double racked focus half plate camera with beautifully cast brass mounts in excellent condition and of exceptional quality mounted on an extendable ...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Lord Vernon’s Sudbury Hall lime wood barometer, by J. Braund after Grinling Gibb
By John Braund
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Lord Vernon’s Sudbury Hall lime wood barometer, by J. Braund after Grinling Gibbons, of typical form within a case richly carved with high relief strapwork comprising bellflowers, fo...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Carved Wood Brass Opium Weight Scale 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese portable opium scale - pair of hand held brass scales etched with leaves, with a wooden case hand carved in the shape of a snale with flowers on one side, a foliate s...
Category
19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$350 Sale Price
30% Off
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Gilt-Bronze Clock and Barometer Set by Maison Mottheau et Fils
Located in London, GB
Antique gilt-bronze clock and barometer set by Maison Mottheau et Fils
French, c. 1880
Height 85cm, width 45cm, depth 30cm
This ornamental clock and barometer set were crafted by th...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Dancer Field Microscope in Fine Condition
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A very clean and complete Dancer field microscope designed to fit into a small case for use in the field.
This example is numbered 38 and has a Wenham prism that neatly slides into ...
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Silver thermometer with reliefs, table stand and hanging ring
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver thermometer with reliefs, table stand and hanging ring. Metal: Silver. Origin: French. Brand: Tête Minerve. Weight: 184.11 grams. Dimensions: 12cm x 18cm. Content...
Category
19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
$1,000 Sale Price
50% Off
Enameled silver thermometer with engraved cut-out stand
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Enameled silver thermometer with engraved cut-out support. Metal: Silver. Origin: Austro-Hungarian. Brand: Head of Diana. Weight: 54.86 grams. Dimensions: 8.6cmx0.8cm. C...
Category
19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
$500 Sale Price
50% Off
Spanish, Bronze Balance Scale with Green Painted Wooden Stand
Located in Marbella, ES
Spanish bronze balance scale with green painted wooden stand.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique Tobacco Scale With Horn Trays – 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Antique Tobacco Scale With Horn Trays – 19th Century, Napoleon III Period"
Antique French Tobacco Scale with cow Horn Pans – 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
Rare and highly decor...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass, Iron
Small wood and brass wall-mounted aneroid barometer in the shape of a rudder
Located in Milan, IT
Small wood and brass wall-mounted aneroid barometer in the shape of a six-ankle rudder. Signed SB Smiths British Made Instrument of the 1950s. This is an instrument whose pressure-s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
1980s Spanish Banjo Weather Station w/ Original Glass
Located in Marbella, ES
1980s Spanish wooden banjo weather station, with original glass domes, barometer, hydrometer and thermometer.
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Nautical Brass Magnetic Compass with Original Box by E. Vion Paris, Early 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Antique and rare magnetic surveying compass, brass with original wooden box, signed E. Vion Paris, early 1900. Very good condition. Height of box cm 32 – inches 12.61.
The firm Vion, that still works today, was established in 1830 in Paris and it has always manufactured navigation equipment, in particular compasses and marine instruments...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Grand Tour Antique Handmade Bronze Mortar with Pestle
Located in Roma, IT
19th-century grand tour antique handmade bronze mortar with pestle. This fantastic piece has an original patina.
The pestle is 9.05 inc high wit...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Grand Tour Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Czech Wooden Industrial Element
Located in High Point, NC
This 20th-century wooden foundry mold, repurposed as a captivating decorative piece, stands as a testament to the fusion of industrial history and artistic charm. Crafted from solid ...
Category
20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$357 Sale Price
40% Off
Chinese geomantic wooden compass with magnetized needle in the center for Feng Shui
Located in Milan, IT
Chinese wooden geomantic compass in a circular shape with a magnetized needle in the center, used in the practice of Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese discipline that studies the harmony...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Carved Wooden G.Tart Liege Antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s
By Black Forest
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden G Tart Liege antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s
Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order.
With best Wishes, Geert...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
18th Century English Mahogany Cased Stick Barometer by Dolland of London
By Dolland
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional late 18th century mahogany cased stick barometer by Dolland of London, The mahogany case of a very solid construction and with a superbly made turned mahogany cistern ...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Vintage American Magnifying Glass, circa 20th Century
Located in Napa, CA
Free-standing vintage magnifying glass. American, circa 20th century. Curving articulated arm on pebbled black base.
Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
A Brendel botanic model: Taxus-Yew, Germany 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare Brendel botanical model of Taxus N.40 (Coniferae), Yew.
The round base in ebonized wood holds two models: an example of a male Sporofilo and a female Aril enlarged about 80 t...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Bronze Mortar with Inscription, Spain, 1846
Located in Madrid, ES
Mortar with inscription. Bronze. Spain, 1846.
Mortar made of bronze with flared mouth and truncated cone body developed without discontinuity and decreasing in diameter to the base....
Category
1840s Spanish Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Carved Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Victorian burr walnut carved banjo barometer having a quality burr walnut carved shaped case with a 10 inch silvered engraved dial, original hands, thermometer and a ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Black Metal Polar Cub Electric Fan
Located in Queens, NY
Small vintage black metal Polar Cub electric fan with vintage brown braided power cord and plug
Not working. For prop use only.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Braid
1850s Antique Industrial Press in Patinated White Iron
Located in Marbella, ES
Antique industrial press made of solid cast iron with traces of its original white paint and an attractive rust patina that enhances its authentic character. The piece retains its la...
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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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