Scientific Instruments
to
166
952
600
1,595
5
3
155
152
139
47
45
32
28
27
16
16
13
6
6
6
5
3
1
1
135
627
833
8
375
300
61
34
40
33
37
30
55
36
25
9
944
660
460
245
135
1,092
379
269
232
182
1,603
1,598
1,600
9
7
6
6
5
Scientific Instruments For Sale
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 Wooden Mortar and Pestle, Italy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Wooden footed mortar and pestle hand turned and carved from one piece of dense fruitwood.
Handcrafted by artisan in Italy, vintage Mid-Century Modern hand turned wood Mortar and Pestle...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Organic Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
Clitograph level by Jules Lefebvre, Paris
Located in London, GB
Clitograph level by Jules Lefebvre, Paris, France, circa 1870.
Rare tripod mounted model. With original tripod and case.
Steel frame marked: NIVEA...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Imperial Sand
Ballast Measure by De Grave Short
Co Ltd of London
Located in London, GB
A rare sand and ballast measure by De Grave Short & Co Ltd of London, circa 1940.
Measures one, three-quarters, and half cubic foot.
Made for Monmouthshire County Council.
P...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
$939 Sale Price
30% Off
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 rosewood and have brass caps. They are right-angled tools, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Memphis Tool Kit Set by Koyo Sangyo, Japan, 1980s
By Koyo Sangyo
Located in Munich, DE
Rare tool kit designed by Koyo Sangyo, Japan, 1980s.
This complete set represents the 'Memphis' period and includes: a handsaws, a Hammer, two screwdrivers an...
Category
1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$1,321 Sale Price / set
26% Off
Vintage Medical Device Wooden Case for Bleeding Needle and Loop Kit with Tin Can
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Medical Device Wooden Case for Bleeding Needle and Loop Kit with Tin Can. 0Original paperwork, solid wood case, 2 swing doors, tin metal...
Category
1930s Jacobean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Tin
Louis XV Parcel-Gilt And Painted Wood Barometer
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th century Louis XV period hand carved and painted parcel gilt French wall barometer. Louis XV giltwood case with ornately hand-carved scrollwork on a green painted wood back. A be...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Glass
19th Century French Louis XVI Carved Painted and Gilt Barometer Thermometer
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an entryway or library with this striking antique French barometer and thermometer, crafted circa 1880. Carved in wood and hand-painted in a vivid palette of faux-malachite,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Pantograph by Thomas Dunn of Edinburgh, circa 1845
Located in London, GB
An oak cased brass pantograph by Thomas Dunn of 50 North Street, Edinburgh.
Interior of case has trade label: Thomas Dunn, optician, mathematical and philosophical instrument make...
Category
Mid-19th Century Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$3,872 Sale Price
25% Off
Two Large Magnifiers With 19th Century Gilded and Mother-of-Pearl Handles
Located in San Francisco, CA
Two Large Magnifiers With 19th Century Gilded and Mother of Pearl Handles
Largest: 4"w x 2"d. x 12.75"h
smallest: 3.5" x 1.25"d x 10.25"h
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass
19th Century French Émile Deyrolle Anatomical Lithograph Poster
Located in London, GB
Émile Deyrolle Anatomical poster
A wonderfully rare and decorative curio medical French (Paris) original lithograph on board anatomical poster in ...
Category
1880s French Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Rummy Grapefruit Soda Advertising Tin Thermometer Sign
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage "Rummy Grapefruit Soda" advertising sign / thermometer, circa 1950s. The piece is in very good working condition with great color and graphics. A rare piece of soda memorabil...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$1,000 Sale Price
33% Off
Oversized Industrial Pyrex Glass Bell Jar With Large 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
Log Caliper, Made by William Greenleaf Company, Belmont, MA
By William Greenleaf
Located in Nantucket, MA
A large caliper for calculating the number of board feet a log will yield. The central wood shaft engraved with multiple scales on each of the four sides with a large metal mounted c...
Category
Early 20th Century American Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Sterling Silver Folding Opera Glasses - Antique Victorian (1895)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of sterling silver folding opera glasses; an addition to our Victorian silverware collection.
These exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver folding opera glasses have a circular form with a plain rectangular bridge.
The eye pieces and lenses are encompassed with plain circular frames, conjoined with swept bridges.
Each pair of lenses are hinged to a plain frame ornamented with the numerals 1 to 5, accented with a sliding focus dial.
The central frame is further embellished with a hinged fingerpiece, accented with a lobed terminal.
Such impressive and high quality examples are rare to the market.
Condition:
These antique Victorian opera glasses...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Sterling Silver
A precision brass scale, France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Precision scale made out on brass. France circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Antique George III Mahogany Stick Barometer by Cremonino
Located in Devon, GB
A fine and well-proportioned early 19th century figured mahogany barometer signed ‘Cremonino, Fecit.’
This barometer has a broken arch pediment above a flush-glass door, enclosing ...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Art Deco Nudy Lady Thermometer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Celluloid nude lady Art Deco thermometer.
Category
20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Open Scale Barograph by C F Casella
Co of London
By Casella
Located in London, GB
An open scale barograph by C F Casella & Co of London, circa 1960.
7 day clockwork "Gluck" barometer recorder.
Measures: Width: 32 cm.
Depth:18 cm.
Height: 23.5 cm.
C. F. Casella and Co:
Established in 1810 as Tagliabue and Casella.
Incorporated as a limited liability company, C. F. Casella and Co, in 1910.
AS advertised in 1930: C. F. Casella and Co Ltd., of Regent House, Britannia Walk, London, N1 7ND - Makers of anemometers, anemographs, barometers, barographs, hygrometers, hygrographs, radiation instruments, rain gauges...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Set of Three Copper Moonshine Funnels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
3 funnels acquired from a moonshine still in Tennessee. Due to these being used in a still we assume they are safe for food products, and most certainl...
Category
Early 20th Century American Country Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
A pharmacy mushroom model: Morchella Rotunda, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Morchella Rotunda mushroom, made in painted plaster, on a green oval-shaped plaster base with moss and hay. Italy circa 1950.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Gucci attributed to Rare Barometer and Clock Year 1960 Vintage Design
By Paolo Gucci
Located in Biella, IT
attributed to Gucci rare barometer and clock year 1960 vintage design. Measure h 17 inches x L12" x deep 3".
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Large Wrought Iron Mid-19th Century Scale from Catalonia
Located in Dallas, TX
Known as an “equal arm scale”, this large wrought iron scale has the traditional “T-form” associated with weighing devices of this nature. Stabilized by a tripartite stand with curve...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Brass Electric Fan, by Frost
Co
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 20th century brass electric fan, by Frost & Co
A very stylish good looking piece, with aluminium blades and metal cage
This piece looks to be...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
A 19th Century, French Dairy Cheese Press
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A 19th Century, French Dairy Cheese Press
This is an attractive press from France it is designed to press a small round cheese, like a Camembert it is made in fruitwood and it is in...
Category
19th Century Country Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nutwood
XXL Loupe
Located in
S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
XXL Loupe with a handle as a horn, circa 1960
This loupe magnifies wonderfully and is an eye-catcher on the coffee table!
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$450
Wall Mounted Calipers from the Ross Optical Company London
Located in London, GB
A set of graduated calipers from the Ross of London optical company, mounted on a later wall hanging backboard.
Each caliper with various markings.
Ross of London was a maker o...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Rare Print of a Nilometer, a Structure Used to Calculate Taxes in Egypt, 1802
Located in Langweer, NL
How high is the water, mama?
Johny Cash was asking his mother, when it is was '6 feet high and rising'. In Egypt it would probably mean that taxes that year would be low.
In Egypt it all depended on the behavior of the Nile and a Priest, who would monitor the so-called Nilometer.
A nilometer was a structure for measuring the Nile River's clarity and water level during the annual flood season. If the water level was low, there would be less food. If it was too high, it would be destructive. There was a specific mark that indicated how high the flood should be if the fields were to get good soil. Their predictions would determine how much money...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Model of an Early Communications Satellite
Located in London, GB
A cased model of an early British Hawker Siddeley Dynamics satellite concept, relating to the ELDO Europa rocket, circa 1966.
The model is accompanied by a Royal Aircraft Establis...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
$3,056 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Frankstein Wall Art Throw Switch Slate Brass New Haven Mfg Co
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Bolt it on the wall for decor on set on a table for conversation. A large example by New Haven Manufacturing Co. of Connecticut, c.1890s.
L 14.5 x W 5.5 x Thk 3 in
Category
1890s American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Slate, Brass
English Victorian Postal Scales with Brass Weights
Located in Queens, NY
"English Victorian postal scales with brass weights consisting of two-4lb weights and a 2lb weight on a oak base (signed: S. MORDAN & CO LONDON)
Some minor chipping to the veneer of...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Bronze Weight, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Weight of the 18th century. Bronze.
Bronze weight, incomplete, with the container glass and two of the smallest, all decorated in cold with incised and...
Category
18th Century European Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
A botanic model of a pale pink tulip, Brendel, Germany 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare Brendel botanical model of Tulipa gesneriana, the Tulip N.200 (Liliaceae), light pink color. The wooden ebonized round base holds the model which opens revealing the flower. T...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th Century Distortion Optical Mirror Concave Curio Fairground Circus
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rare late 19th century distortion mirror, with a concave plate
Housed in its original softwood well carpentered frame with faux rosewood finish
The thick plate has some pitti...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mirror, Pine
Large French 19th Century Brass and Steel Scale with Weighing Pans and Column
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French brass and steel scale from the 19th century with central column and two weighing pans. Embrace the charm and sophistication of the 19th century with this exquisite French br...
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
18th Century Louis XVI Giltwood Wall Barometer
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A beautifully carved and giltwood 18th century Louis XVI wall barometer having its original mercury tube and mechanism but presently with the mercury missing.
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition
National Geographic
This is a beautiful large library or hardcover coffee table book.
Title: National Geographic Atlas of th...
Category
Early 2000s Maltese Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century English Telescoping Surveyors Measure
Located in Burton, TX
Telescoping surveyors measuring staff made of wood with brass fittings. Marked 'Houghton-Butcher Mfg. Co. Ltd., London 1918 N0. 1.195'. Lovingly cared...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$560 Sale Price
20% Off
American Polished Steel Sky Light Binnacle with Rope Carved Base, Phil. C. 1880
By Hands
Sons
Located in Charleston, SC
American polished steel sky light binnacle with rope carved base, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Norfolk VA. Late 19th century. Binnacle has been electrified fo...
Category
1880s American American Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
American Victorian Stereoscope Photographs
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian-style collection of stereoscope photographs. (100 available)
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Apothecary glass funnels, Italy 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of apothecary glass funnels. Italy 1800 ca.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Terrestrial Globe By Félix Delamarche, Also Known As Charles-François Delamarche
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique terrestrial table globe is a French example attributed to the celebrated cartographer Félix Delamarche, whose firm was renowned for producing high quality, geographicall...
Category
1790s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
An apothecary glass mortar and pestle, Italy 18th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Apothecary glass mortar, fitted with glass pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Antique Thermometer, Inlaid with Marquetry, Vienna Austria, 1907
Located in Wien, AT
antique thermometer, inlaid with marquetry, Vienna Austria 1907, mahogany, good original condition
On the back is the composition of the materials ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Walnut cased Barograph
Located in Cheshire, GB
John Trotter walnut-cased Barograph, having five beveled glazed removable lid, and a drawer below to house the charts. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fitted...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
$2,142 Sale Price
20% Off
Red Decorated Lacquer Hour Glass
Located in Queens, NY
Red decorated lacquer four unit hour glass
One hour glass is missing
Category
20th Century Unknown Renaissance Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
1911, The Lady Claire Dress Form, Very Rare
Located in Peekskill, NY
I've had an example of this dress form in my personal collection. It's an amazing piece of engineering and one of my favorite items... something I decided to never sell it. The Lady Claire...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Early Nineteenth Century French Thuya Wood Thermometer
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Thuya wood thermometer, with brass plate inscribed with 'Thermometre par Mouyer Nancy’. The thermometer tube is sat behind a br...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Other
$5,473 Sale Price
25% Off
1960 Double-Deck Precision Analytical Balance by Galileo Sartorius in Glass Case
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Germany hand-built analytical beam balance scientific scale by Galileo Sartorius. The scale is used to measure both solid and liquid masses (10/100g capacity). Highly sensitive silver cylinders dampen the harmonic motion of the beam balance.
Galileo Sartorius refers to a collaboration between the Italian company Galileo and the German company Sartorius, specifically in the production of high-precision analytical balances...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
$655 Sale Price
30% Off
Pike and Elliman English Brass Scale
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pike and Elliman brass shop scale, dating to the 1880's. Nice original condition. Class b to weigh up to 12oz. Stamped on brass tray pike & E 14 new, 32 Gi ...
Category
1880s English Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$440 Sale Price
41% Off
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for weighing scale
A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustme...
Category
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
1850 Old French Map Depicting the Entire Earth
s Surface Divided into Two Parts
Located in Milan, IT
Geographical map depicting the entire earth's surface divided into two parts that correspond to the two hemispheres divided into small climatic zones that depict the climatic trend f...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Zoological Lithograph of a Cockroach 1925 Cardboard by H Aschehoug
Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 64 lithograph on cardboard made in 1925 depicting an enlarged cockroach with the digestive and reproductive system. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye ...
Category
1920s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Antique Botanical Plate Boehmeria tenacissima Bohemian Manufacture of the 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Colored lithograph applied on light cardboard depicting botanical study with various sections of Boehmeria tenacissima Roxb and of Corchorus capsularis L. Bohemian manufacture of the...
Category
1930s Czech Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Vintage Industrial Foundry Wooden Block Mold Architectural Valcor Engine - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Industrial Foundry Large Wooden Block Mold Architectural Salvage from Valcor Engine Corp - a Pair. Approx 30 lbs each. Great to use as unique decorative objects or convert fo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Sketch of a tiger Korea 1970s Acrylic on Paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting a tiger; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Korean artist in the 1970s. Very ...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Sketch of a hind Korea 1970s Acrylic on Paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting a hind; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Korean artist in the 1970s. Very g...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Sketch of a jay Korea 1970s Acrylic on Paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting a jay; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Korean artist in the 1970s. Very go...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage 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.
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Ways To Browse
Large Abacus
Large Brass Telescope
Marine Barometer
Plate Camera
Pocket Compass
Used Stanley Tools
Vintage Beakers
W And T Avery Scales Antique
Wooden Instrument Case
16th Century Bronze Mortar
19Th Century Antique Cameras
3 Draw Brass Telescope
Anatomical Wax
Antique Brass Ruler
Antique Brass Scoop
Antique Brass Sundials
Antique Magnetic Compass
Antique Monocular