Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Grain Grate
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Grain Grate
A great antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900. H...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
19th Century Compass and Sundial Together
Located in Miami, FL
19th century compass and sundial together.
Category
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Pair of Bronze Mortar with Mascarons
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Pair of bronze mortar decorated with a mascaron and their pestle, early 20th century.
Measures: Height mortar 4 inches
Height pestle 7 inches.
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
$230 Sale Price
20% Off
1950s Gas Station Object Gulf Oil Tin Bug Spray Can Advertising Graphics Prop
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Gulf Oil Corporation Spray Can
USA, c.1957
Spray can with red, white, green, and blue text on white label and insect graphics. Round blue removable cap. No leaks, No holes.
Dia 3 x H...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
20th Century English Scale
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 20th-century English scale is a captivating piece of industrial design and functional history. Crafted from cast iron with a sturdy base and a brass beam, this scale embodies du...
Category
20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel, Iron
English 19th Century Brass Herbalist Scale with Central Column and Lyre Motif
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English brass herbalist scale from the 19th century, with column and lyre details, mounted on a wooden base. Used to measure herbs, this exquisite scale features a brass structure...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Anatomical Model of the Human Ear by Somso, 1950s
By Somso
Located in Naples, IT
Didactic model of the human ear, materiale plastico, made in 1950s by Somso, a German company active since the second half of the nineteenth century, known as an excellence in the de...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
PVC
Seldom seen Industrial Military "Field" Dental Chair , Canadian War Museum
By Metal Art
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen Industrial Military "Field" Dental Chair , as seen in the Canadian War Museum .. Amazing industrial design, great color , patina. Retains original label (see photo) dated...
Category
1940s Canadian Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
19th Century Trying or Jointer Plane
Located in High Point, NC
19th century trying or jointer plane from England. Lovely patina from age and use.
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1880s Iron And Brass Balancing Scale
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1880s iron and brass balancing scale.
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique English Spring Balance Scale Made by Salter 100 Years Old, Custom Stand
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English spring balance scale made by "Salter Co." on custom made stand, 100 years old.
(shown at left in group photo)
Me...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Inlaid Mahogany Barometer, with Silvered Dial, Signed Vecchio
Co
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century inlaid mahogany barometer, with 8" silvered dial, signed Vecchio & Co, Shaftsbury, and red alcohol thermometer.
Thermometer scale in degrees Fahrenheit, and ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
French Baker
s Scale
Located in Houston, TX
French Baker's scale. This antique cast iron baker's scale includes original weights.
Great Kitchen Accessory!
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
$1,450
A late19th-Century dental extractor, United States 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
An instrument for dental use. A late 19th early 20th century dental extractor. An iron forceps used in tooth extraction, one of the two handles, is curved to allow grip during tooth ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960
By Somso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960
A folding model of an ear. Used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1960. Made of wood and plastic by Somso, Germany.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
An oversized brass silk scale with wooden stand, Italy 1850.
Located in Milan, IT
Ancient scale for weighing silk. Over a square wooden base weighted with lead with brass plaque and connecting element rise the tall wooden central part, made out of wood, with moved...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
A botanic model of a fern Pteris serrulata, A. Dall’Eco, Italy 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model by A. Dall'Eco di Pteris serrulata N.66 (Ferns. Sporangium and Spore). The round boxwood base contains 4 elements, components of a model of fern Pteris serrula...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Boxwood
Vintage 5 Draw Brass Telescope
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage brass 5 draw extendable hand telescope. Comes with original cap to cover glass end and brass eyepiece cover that slides in and out of place. Unusually long telescope at just ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Military Meter for National Service, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
The military meter was used during the campaign of military conscription visits for military national service in Italy. The base, made out of cast iro...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By Grand Bazar
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By Grand Bazar 1910s Liege Belgium
High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
French 19th Century Brass Fabric Scale on Wooden Base Signed Robert A Vienne
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French brass fabric scale from the 19th century with wooden base, signed Robert A Vienne. Created in France during the 19th century, this fabric scale, made of brass, is mounted on...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century, Compass and Sundial Together
Located in Miami, FL
19th century, compass and sundial together.
Category
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting the Human Lymphatic and Blood Vessels
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting the Human Lymphatic and Blood Vessels
A rare 19-carat anatomical wall chart depicting the human lymphatic and blood ve...
Category
Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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. distributor Kern. American manufacturing. Philadelphia, United States circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
19th Century English Molding Plane
Located in High Point, NC
19th century molding plane made from beech wood. The plane is stamped with the name MIKE. Imagine the moldings this plane was used to make.....
Category
19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
Antique Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1900
By Somso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1900
A folding model of an ear. It was used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1900. It is made of wood and paper mache by ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor
s Compass in Fitted Wooden Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique surveyor's compass originates from Scotland and dates to approximately 1880 and made in the period Victorian style. The compass case is composed of solid brass with a me...
Category
Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Small French 20th Century Terrestrial Globe on Turned Black Wooden Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small French terrestrial globe from the 20th century, with metal protractor and circular black wooden base. Created in France during the 20th century, this terrestrial globe is con...
Category
20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
American Country Style Weather Vane
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) wrought iron weather vane with serpent with arrow tongue
Category
19th Century American Country Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Surveyor
s Pole and Logging Measuring Stick c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
Original surveyor's pole and one logging measuring stick. The other wider all wood yellow surveyor pole is fixed. The logging measuring stick is numbered on 4 sides and has a ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Brass Scale with Deep Weighing Pan from the 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English brass weighing scale from the 20th century, stated to weigh up to 28lbs. This 20th-century English brass weighing scale is a striking example of both functionality and vin...
Category
20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam
Located in Norwell, MA
Antique ships compass with interesting Dutch lettering. Spun brass bowl with gimbal. Fitted to a primitive dovetailed box. Circa 1880. With compas...
Category
1880s European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1950s Vintage Weight Plumb Bob Tool Level Iron
Wood
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Plumb Tool
Mid Century Modern Vintage Weight Plumb Bob Tool Instrument Level
Collectible level made in Iron and Wood
5.25 x 1.5 diameter
Fair Condition in Or...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Supreme x Hoto Red Tool Set, 5-Piece, Spring, 2023
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Supreme x hoto red tool set, 5-piece, Spring 2023. Made exclusively for Supreme (Spring 2023), limited edition. Red, Supreme-printed case. Includes 3.6V 3-level torque adjustable scr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
French Antique Shop Brass Counter Scale
Located in Austin, TX
Important set of scales from France. This piece has a detailed brass structure with working functionality. It is supported by a wood base. They are in excellent antique condition – t...
Category
1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Portable Sundial in Turned Wooden Case
Located in Madrid, ES
Charming 19th-century portable sundial, housed in a finely turned wooden case.
This compact and elegant scientific instrument reflects the craftsmanship and precision of 19th-century...
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Space Age Food Scale by Marco Zanuso for Terraillon
By Marco Zanuso
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design on this beautiful scale design by Marco Zanuso for Terraillon, circa 1970's, very light use and perfect working condition.
Category
Late 20th Century French Space Age Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
$156 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
18th century French neoclassical barometer from the Louis XVI period. Now strictly a stunning decorative object with great style. It is no long...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
19th Century French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French Metal Scale is a striking artifact that captures the essence of historical commerce and French provincial life. Clad in its original red paint, now distresse...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Louis XVI Style Gilded and Painted Wood Barometer from the Early 1800s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Louis XVI style barometer and thermometer features an exquisite carved giltwood crest with delicate foliage motifs. Below the crest, the thermometer, encompassed in a black painted body, sits atop the round barometer...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Albertus Seba Pair 18th Century Hand-Colored Engravings Butterfly
Located in Washington, DC
Rare pair of original hand-colored prints from Sir Albertus Seba's cabinet of natural curiosities. Prints come from published volumes in Amste...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
French 19th Century Black Forest Barometer
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century black forest barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Giltwood Thermometer
Perpetual Calendar Attributed to F.Linke, France, c. 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Elegant Louis XVI style set comprising a thermometer and a perpetual calendar attributed to F. Linke. Each consisting of a metal plaque, painted with floral motifs on a beige backgro...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Sheet Metal
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut 1910s
By A. de Lambert
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Belgium by A. de Lambert. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)
Unusual design ...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Pair of American Brass Nautical Taffrail Log Spinners, Negus, NY, Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American brass nautical taffrail log spinners, Late 19th century. Stamped by brothers Thomas Shufeldt Negus, Jr. (1828-1894) & John Davidson Negus (1833-1890) manufacturers and merchants of chronometers and other fine marine instruments...
Category
1880s American American Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1900s French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 1900s French cast iron scale is a classic example of early 20th-century craftsmanship, blending industrial utility with sculptural appeal. Composed of heavy cast iron, the scale...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Double Bronze/Brass Apothecary Scale
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a gilt bronze/brass double apothecary scale. It depicts an upside down bronze Corinthian column that holds two different set of balance brass ...
Category
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Brass
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C. Scientific Optical Mirror in Black Hardwood Frame on Tripod Brass Stand
Located in Haarlem, NL
A large 19th Century scientific optical mirror in round blackened hardwood frame on brass articulated tripod stand. The mirror looks concave or convex shaped, but if you look closely...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$1,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Push Button Genie Telephone in Peach
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Very sleek & cool styling in this Genie telephone. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear retains the great color of it's early days. Not tested.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Ashcroft Ships Revolution Counter
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships Revolution Counter by Ashcroft Mfg. Co New York. 8 inch face inscribed New York Ship building Co. Camden, N.J. USA. Nickel plated over brass with n...
Category
1920s American Vintage 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
19th C. German Stag Horn Thermometer and Barometer
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A remarkable German Folk Art Weather Station in the Black Forest Style. Elaborate and sinuous construction with stag horns of various sizes, boar tusk...
Category
19th Century German Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Antler, Horn
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Rococo Style Carved Walnut, 1910s
By A. de Lambert
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Belgium by A. de Lambert. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)
Unusual design...
Category
1910s Belgian Rococo Revival Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Italian 18th Century Balance, Scale
Located in Round Top, TX
A very stunning 18th century balance - Scale from Rome, Italy. Beautifully crafted from polychromed and gilt wood. A wonderful accent piece for a library or office.
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Copper
brass fuel measures by Sutherland Astell
Located in London, GB
Two copper and brass metric "Checkpump" fuel measures by Sutherland Astell, circa 1950.
Made for the County Borough of Blackpool.
Marked: 10 and 20 litres, at 20°.
20L, Height: 23...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
chinoiserie Decorated Circular Barometer, circa 1930s
By Acme Photo
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie decorated circular barometer, circa 1930s.
Black background with gold decoration,
Depicting, houses, temple, figures, trees & foliage,
Brass face,
Badge on back, re...
Category
1930s European Chinoiserie Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Lacquer
$495 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 19th Century American Solid Silver Draughtsman
s Extending Ruler c.1897
By Udall
Ballou
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century American solid silver "Draughtsman's tool" 12 inch ruler. What is rather special about this piece is it is approx 4.5 inches long and extends out. Marked on the ...
Category
19th Century American Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
Set of Three Victorian Set Squares, C. 1880
Located in High Point, NC
This is a set of three antique shipwright's set squares. The squares are made from oak and have brass caps. They are right-angled tools, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Hand Turned Wood Mortar and Pestle 1950
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern mortar and pestle hand turned from one piece of dense wood. It is in wonderful vintage condition. Please see photos, circa 1950-1960.
Whether you need or...
Category
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Foldable Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting Human Musculature
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Foldable Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting Human Musculature
A rare 19th century anatomical wall chart depicting human musculature and internal organs. ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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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