Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Unusual Early American Quack Medicine Thompson-Plaster Electric Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most unusual Thompson-Plaster electrical cabinet, by Physician's Specialty Company, Leesburg, Virginia, United States.
The historic turn of the late 19th / early 20th century quack medicine machine used a violent ray electrotherapy apparatus as a cure-all, claiming to cure numerous ailments, cancers, and more.
Featuring the original oak framed glazed glass-covered marble top for use with 'medical' instruments, atop quartersawn oak chest fitted with three graduated drawers, opening to reveal various associated equipment and supplies, including blown glass evacuated tube implements of varying shapes and for different therapeutic uses. High-quality solid wood case, rising on castors. Signed, retaining the original manufacturer plaque. Museum quality.
Provenance / Acquisition:
Reportedly purchased by Dr. Slaughter, of Goldthwaite, Texas, May, 1903.
Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, established 1983, Austin, Texas. Day 2 of 3, Important Estates catalog. 2021
Similar examples can be found in select museum collections and exhibitions, including Loudoun Museum, Leesburg, Virginia. Holmes Medical Museum, Foley, Alabama.
Dimensions: (approx)
40.75" High, 26" Wide, 17.5" Deep
Condition:
Excellent original antique condition. Museum quality. Unknown if complete. Wear consistent with age and use.
A scarce example of medical quackery...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
A bleeding travelling set with mahogany wood, signed Blackwell, England 1850.
Located in Milan, IT
Travelling mahogany wood case set for bleeding, brass apparatuses for bleeding and glass cups. Signed Blackwell London, circa 1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Mahogany Banjo Barometer. Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany banjo barometer with centered brass finial in scrolled pediment, glass encased thermometer, ebonized reeded mirror, original ...
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Circa 1900 English Equal Arm Market Scale With Weights
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900 equal arm market scale with weights, English. Marked: "W&T Avery Ld, To Weigh 7LB" & "Class.B". Heavy, quality brass - boldly turned upright with finial tip. Large, molded...
Category
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Nice Acupuncture Model Statue Sculpture, Composition on Wood Stand Vintage 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Acupuncture Model. Some wear with a nice patina. Made of composition, metal and a wooden stand. It is painted in different colors and co...
Category
1960s German Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Composition, Metal
Antique Scientific Model of the Non-Poisonous Snake of Natricidae Family 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Model of the European non-poisonous snake belonging to the Natricidae family. German manufacture of hand-painted rubber and plastic dated to the 1950s, from the Hygiene Museum in Dre...
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
Large Early 20th Century King Edward vii W
T Avery Beam Scale
By W
T Avery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Large antique wrought iron and brass beam weight balance scale by W and T Avery Ltd. of Soho foundry Birmingham, England. Lovely black transfer on a por...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
1963s Italy Vallardi Box With 6 Wooden Geometric Solids Scientific Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Box containing 6 dismounplate geometric solids of oak wood, height 20 cm, in their original wooden box complete with illustrative leaflet for calculating surfaces and volumes. Made for educational purposes for schools by Antonio Vallardi publisher in 1963. Box cm 24 x 40 H 12 cm.
The origins of the publisher Vallardi date back to 1750 when founder Francesco Cesare (1736-1799) acquired a small craft in the heart of old Milan. In the early nineteenth century, the publishing house was noted for the production of works of art, geography and science, including a "Tour of Italy" which took twenty-two printings between 1819 and 1835. The complete works of various maps and directions for travel, including timetables and fares for transportation of the time, can be considered the first modern tourist guide. The firm "Vallardi" was born in 1843 and the company became industrial, with the opening of branches on national...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Didactical Model of Cockchafer or May bug sold by the “ Denoyer-Geppert Company
Located in Leuven , BE
Beetle model (Melotontha vulgaris), strongly enlarged. One side shows the outer shape, the other the inner constitution and the viscera, legs and wings ca...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Paper
Large Antique Shipwright
s Set Square, English, Rosewood, Tool, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique shipwright's set square. An English, rosewood and brass right-angled tool, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880.
Quality, antique craftsman's tool
Displaying a desirable aged patina
Rosewood stock with brass capping
Square blade shows pleasing weathering commensurate with age
Attractive brass shield with pegged bonding to both sides
Engraved with the names Woates and A. Clarke
This is a fine, large antique set square...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Atomic structure for educational use of metal graphite with Bakelite spheres
Located in Milan, IT
Atomic structure for educational use of graphite made metal with black Bakelite spheres. Czechoslovakian manufacture of the 1950s. Very good condition, Measures 28x28x20 cm - 11x11x...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Italian Illuminated Optometric Table, 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Italian Illuminated Optometric Table, 1960s
Complete and in good condition. Electrical system to be checked.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic, Wood
1930s Germany Botanical Model of the Lamium Purpureum Flower
Located in Milan, IT
Educational model of the Lamium purpureum L. (false purple nettle) flower made of painted papier mâché with a Bakelite base from the 1930s, German ma...
Category
1930s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Parchment Paper
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 Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
1930s Italian antique Sketch of a Campaign to Fight Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of a futurist poster, 1930’s, campaign against tuberculosis with united strength 10 cents for poor sicks with tuberculosis, for the national campaign to inform people about th...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
UNIVERSAL EQUINOCTIAL RING SUN DIAL NICOLAS BION, PARIs, CIRCA 1700
Located in Madrid, ES
UNIVERSAL EQUINOCTIAL RING SUN DIAL NICOLAS BION, PARIS, CIRCA 1700
A RARE EQUINOCTIAL RING
signed "N Bion A PARIS", around 1700, made IN BRONZE composed of meridian and equatorial ...
Category
Early 17th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Iron
Brass Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and brass scale presents a beautifully balanced combination of industrial form and warm metallic detail. Its cast-iron base displays a clean, architectu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Late 19th Century Educational Human Anatomical Ear Model German manufacture
Located in Milan, IT
Ear anatomical model, plaster and papier mâché hand painted, depicting the inner and outer ear and the cochlea. German manufacture of the end of the 19th century. Good condition, som...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Large Vintage Pantagraph, English, Brass, Scientific Mapping Instrument
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage pantagraph. An English, brass scientific mapping instrument, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Fascinating scale and mechanical interest
Displays a...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large 18th c. Monogrammed Cherry Wood Jointer Plane c.1700-1799
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique Cherry wood carpentry plane used to make trim and moldings. Monogrammed and stamped. Steel blade inside. Shown with life size hand mold for scale.
CREATOR Unknow...
Category
18th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
English wall barometer with a square shape made of oak from the 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Square-shaped English aneroid wall barometer made of oak wood from the 1940s. Good working condition.
Measures cm19x5x19 - inches 7.5x1.9x7.5.
The last photo is the gift box.
This i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Vintage Beam Compass, German, Cartography, Architect Drawing Instrument, Riefler
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage beam compass. A German, silver nickel cartographer's or architect's drawing instrument by Riefler, dating to the late 20th cent...
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
Vintage Spirit Level, English, Rosewood, Craftsman
s Instrument, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage spirit level. An English, Rosewood and craftsman's instrument, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Period appeal with...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Scarce Early 20th Century French Richard Jules Mahogany Cased Barograph
By Jules Richard
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and interesting French mahogany-cased barograph by Richard Jules. circa 1900
Exquisitely handcrafted in Paris, France, in the early 20th century, this fine weather forecasting scientific instrument is a barometer that records the barometric pressure over time in graphical form, as well as make a continuous recording of atmospheric pressure.
Housed in a high-quality protective wooden case, having hinged lid with original glazed glass panel sides, barograph with centigrade thermometer scale, fitted with eight aneroid capsules stacked in series, cylindrical drum element with graph for data recording and analysis.
Signed, retaining the maker's marks to top and interior. The metal plaque affixed to top reads: "Barometre Enregistreur
Ancene Mon Richard Frères...
Category
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Fassamano French Tortoise Antique Eyeglasses Second Half 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Fassamano (from the French face-a-main) eyeglasses with handle that turns into a case shaped like the lenses; dark tortoise eyeglasses, oval lenses...
Category
1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
18th Century French Barometer in Giltwood Frame
Located in Buchanan, MI
18th century French barometer in giltwood frame.
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, Glass
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (Late 19th Century) walnut wall barometer/thermometer with carved bird, deer and floral carving.
Category
19th Century German Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Large Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique Victorian quality rosewood banjo barometer having a quality rosewood banjo shaped case with carved scroll decoration with a thermometer and 10 inch circular silvered di...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
10 demountable geometric solids in oak height 7.9 inch 1960 Vallardi Milan
Located in Milan, IT
Box containing 10 removable geometric solids made of oak wood, maximum height 20 cm -inches 7.9, housed in their original wooden box. Made for educational purposes for schools by pub...
Category
1960s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Boxwood Tailor
s and Dressmaker
s Square by John T Johnson of Birmingham
Located in London, GB
A boxwood 24 x 18 inch tailor's and dressmaker's square, by John T Johnson of Birmingham, circa 1900.
Marked: JOHN T. JOHNSON - UNION PASSAGE. BIRMm.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Boxwood
Massive Industrial Era "C" Camp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Massive Industrial Era C Clamp. C-clamps are generally small tools, but here is a "monumental size" clamps more than likely used for specialized equipment such as handling heavy ston...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
English Victorian Surveyor
s Measure
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian-style painted wood and brass adjustable surveyor\'s measure.
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso (Eydam) ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso (Eydam) ca. 1950
A folding model of an ear. Used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1950. Made of wood and plaster by Somso, Ge...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
1970s Vintage Sculptural Magnifying Lens Glass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sculptural magnifying lens glass
7.38 w x 1.5 d x 6 h
Unrestored vintage condition
Refer to images.
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Wooden and Brass Square Faced Magnifying Glass with Nautical Symbol
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique Hand crafted magnifying glass from the 20th Century. The viewing glass is square with a brass frame and brass nautical symbol inlayed at the handle which also displays a br...
Category
20th Century American Classical Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1930s Italian Medical Sketch of a Campaing to Fight Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of a futurist poster, 1930s, ten cents to fight tuberculosis, for the national campaign to inform people about the prevention of this illness. Measures: cm 32 x 42, inches 12....
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Bronze and Marble Sculpture With Bust Desk Thermometer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Art Nouveau bronzed bust of a woman sitting atop a black marble base. This desk sculpture also functions as a thermometer.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
$264 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of Victorian Brass Beam Scales
Located in Altrincham, GB
Set of Victorian Brass Beam Scales, complete with pans and nest of weights - Williams & Sons - Cannon St. London - 21"w x 12"d x 27"h
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Antique Petite Draw Telescope in Brass and Wood
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An antique French single draw telescope. Petite in size, its main barrel is covered with wonderful dark, veneer fruit wood, while the fixings and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Glass scientific instrument: Crookes maltese cross tube, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument. An example of the Crookes tube with Maltese Cross, in chromed metal, a precursor to the cathode ray tube. It was used to demonstrate the rectilinea...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Inlaid Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany inlaid banjo barometer having a swan neck top, quality mahogany case with inlaid satinwood shells brass bezel engraved silvered dial original hand...
Category
19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
Vintage Electric Company Meter Lamp
Located in Hanover, MA
This is a wonderful piece of suburban folk art and mid-century Americana. It is a vintage 'bench made' table lamp incorporating an actual working electric company meter. When the l...
Category
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Bean Seedling
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Bean Seedling
A rare antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900. ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Italy 1939s Sketch Futurist Poster "Day of Two Crosses" Against Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of the futurist poster "Day of two crosses, 16th April 1939, XVII", mixed technique of pastel and water-color, for an Italian campaign against tuberculosis, to inform people a...
Category
1930s Italian Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Fassamano French Tortoise antique Eyeglasses second half 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Fassamano (from the French face-a-main) eyeglasses with handle that turns into a case shaped like the lenses; dark tortoise eyeglasses, oval lenses...
Category
1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
1950s Anatomical Teaching Model of Normal Size Depicting Flat Foot "Pes Planus"
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical teaching model of normal size depicting flat foot "pes planus" the model highlights the alteration of the foot characterized by valgus and a reduced plantar vault.
The s...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
18th Century Italian Bronze Pestle for a Mortar, 9 Inches Long
Located in Stamford, CT
If you've got the mortar, I have the pestle! There are so many mortars out there, and so few pestles. It's nice to have both. Here is your opportunity to marry this large scale pestl...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Vintage American Copper Liquor Still
Located in Queens, NY
American Country (early 20th Century) copper liquor still component with threaded removable top.
Natural patina
Category
20th Century American Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Folding Boxwood
Brass Shoe Size Measure, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century folding cobbler's boxwood and brass shoe size measure, for the French market.
With folding heel rest and slinging toe marker, with brass hinge.
Paris point shoe...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Boxwood
Wooden stick barometer threaded brass at the edges John Maineri 1820
Located in Milan, IT
Ebonized wood cue barometer with brass threading at the edges, signed Giovanni Maineri early 19th cent.
Barometer with ebonized wood reservoir complete with sea bone float indicatin...
Category
1820s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze
Boulle Barometer
Thermometer Gervais Durand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Pair of fine Antique Gilt Bronze Mounted Tortoiseshell Inlaid Ebonized Boulle Marquetry Instruments by Gervais-Maximilien-Eugene Durand. Originals featuring exquisite bronz...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Brass
$9,800 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Telescope with original leather case from World War II, English circa 1940
Located in Central England, GB
This fine example of a World War II military spotting telescope is the type issued to a British army sniper, who would have used it to locate an enemy sniper in a hidden position.
T...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Gustavian brass box with perpetual calender based on the rune staff
Located in Knivsta, SE
Gustavian brass box with perpetual calender based on the rune staff. The box is from the late 18th Century and was used as a perpetual calendar and...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
American Country Patriotic Painted Milk Pail with Eagle and American Flags
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style decorative milk pail with a painted eagle standing atop two crossed American flags against a black painted background.
Minor losses to paint.
Category
Early 20th Century American Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paint
English Bronze Weight Sets
Located in Queens, NY
2 English bronze 4 piece weight set with cover and various small weights inside (PRICED EACH) (19/20th Cent.)
Category
19th Century British British Colonial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
$320 / item
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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