Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Vintage Sun Lite II Speed Flash and Portable Battery Pack in Brown Leather Case
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sun Lite II Speed Flash and Portable Battery Pack in Brown Leather Case. Listing includes all the accessories in the photos. The brown leather case alone is very nice. Circa ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Leather
Anatomical model for class of the lungs and heart, Germany 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare anatomical model for class, depicting human lungs and heart, made out of painted plaster, mounted on a black fruit wooden base. By Louis M. Meusel, Germany circa 1920.
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Fruitwood
Late 18th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Period late 18th century giltwood barometer. Original gilding. Carved overall with globe, and navigation instruments. Foliate and neoclassical motifs. Maker signed.
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Scale with weights. Iron. Widow of José Menaya, Valencia (Spain), 19th c.
Located in Madrid, ES
Scale with weights. Iron. Widow of José Menaya, Valencia (Spain), around the second half of the 19th century.
Iron scale made up of a swinging arm with a structure at each end from...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Neoclassical Revival Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other, Iron
19th Century Optician or Optometrist Test Glasses Lens Kit in Cabinet
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Optician or Optometrist Test Glasses Lens Kit in Cabinet
This beautiful cabinet was used by a traveling optometrists to treat patients in their homes.
The glass fron...
Category
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Real Tennis Print, Ed Barre by W. Bromley
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
A wonderful and extremely rare real tennis, Royal Tennis, Jeu de Paume, Court Tennis Picture, J. Edmond Barre By W. Bromley.
An exceptionally rare mid-19t...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Sporting Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Antique Napoleon III Parisian Giltwood Barometer, "Bodeur a Paris", Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
Napoleon III style, sometimes referred to as The Second Empire style, was greatly influenced by the Neoclassical aspects of the Louis XVI period. This giltwood barometer from Paris w...
Category
1830s French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
NYC Subway Test Brake Handle
Located in New York, NY
Reclaimed subway test brake handle made of cast iron with a red enamel handle. These handles were used in the New York City subway system. Made by Hafco. Good condition with surface ...
Category
20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Enamel, Iron
Boyle’s Patent Air Pump Ventilator, London, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Boyle’s patent air pump ventilator mahogany wood, glass an iron, depicting architecture model. Robert Boyle & son Ventilating engineeres. London & Glasgow, end XIX century.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
3-D Gastro Intestinal Model by CENCO
By Central Scientific Company
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1960's medical office or classroom model diagram of the anatomy of the human G-I system. Wall plaque in hand painted plaster relief. Element...
Category
1960s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
English Regency Red Lacquer Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-style (19/20th Century) red lacquer small chinoiserie wall barometer.
Category
19th Century British Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Lacquer
A travel aphotecary with oak wood box, England 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Small travel apothecary with oak wood box, glass containers inside and bone spoon. England circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
English Brass and Wood Barrel Nautical Spyglass James Chapman, London Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass and wood barrel nautical ship captain's spyglass with a single draw, polished sunshade, lense cap, and engraved focal tube by maker James Chapman St. Catherines Dock, L...
Category
1850s English William IV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Dutch Carved Wooden Barometer with Horse Motif by Gebroeders Caminada, Rotterdam
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Dutch carved wooden barometer from the late 19th century, with horse motif, signed by Gebroeders Caminada, Rotterdam. Hand carved in the Netherlands...
Category
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
1960s Tesla Speaker Ars450, Czechoslovakia
By Tesla
Located in Zohor, SK
Unique and original item. A speaker used in villages as a part of a local radio in Czechoslovakia. this piece in marked as Tesla ARS 450, 25W. We were no...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$177 Sale Price
75% Off
Anatomical model for class, depicting the kidneys, Spain 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for schools, for educational use, depicting the kidneys, made out of painted papier maché and mounted over a black painted fruitwood base. Spain circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Dr Forbes Specifications Bath Thermometer
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Dr Forbes Specifications Bath Thermometer
A great piece, the thermometer has a beech Case so that it can be floated to show the numerical temperature and also the recommended from
...
Category
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
A 19th-Century dental elevator.
Located in Milan, IT
A dental instrument. A 19th-Century iron elevator. A baluster-turned shank with double claw, fitted with a horn handle and screwdriver. British manufacturer. London circa 1850.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Louis XVI Gilt-Wood Barometer
Thermometer, France c. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Louis XVI Period Barometer & Thermometer Combination, originating in France & dating from the last quarter of the 18th century. The workings enclosed by a gilt-wood case with carve...
Category
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
French Mahogany Barometer with Thermometer by "L
Ingenieur Chevallier"
By Jean Gabriel Augustin Chevallier
Located in Pembroke, MA
Impressive French mahogany barometer and thermometer from the Louis-Philippe period (Circa 1840), by Jean Gabriel Augustin Chevalliier. The barometer features an indicator arrow adju...
Category
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Barograph by R Fuess
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany framed barograph by R Fuess Berlin. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fitted with a seven-day chart which covers one full rotation of the drum. The in...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
$1,321 Sale Price
34% Off
Original Vintage Scale from the 20th Century
Designed by Berkel
By Berkel 2
Located in Udenhout, NL
Original personal scale from 1946 designed by Berkel in Belgium.
(Made in Brussels.)
Very nice Industrial decorative object.
Category
1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Enamel
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. White Maker, H.C. distributor Kern. American manufacturing. P...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Rare Charles and Ray Eames Sphere
s "Mathematica world of numbers" 1961 Exhibit
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super rare. The spheres in this image are components of one of the exhibits... originally aquired from an IBM employee.
Mathematica: A World of Numbers…and Beyond, is the title of...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone
Rare 12 inches terrestrial globe signed Cary, London United Kingdom 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Large 12" terrestrial globe made by the famous Cary brothers, made with a wooden frame, refined plaster polished to perfection, and colored paper gores. The globe is supported by a f...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Handcrafted 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, hand turned wood Mortar and Pestle...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Organic Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
Osterloh Botanic Model of a Wheat Flower, Germany, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
A botanic didactical specimen depicting a Wheat flower (Triticum durum), made out of papier mache wood and metal with black wooden base, hand painted. Extremely detailed. Osterloh Mo...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
A mid-19th century surgeon
s instrument, a saw. Lollini Brothers, Bologna, Italy
Located in Milan, IT
A 19th-century surgical instrument. An amputation chain saw with a white metal body and iron stops, extractor, and chain. The bar-shaped body has a rectangular section that curves sl...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron
A pharmacy mushroom model: Cortinarius Violaceus, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Cortinarius Violaceus 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
Antique Aneroid Barometer
Located in Napa, CA
Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Vintage Hydroway Scales Inc, HydroScale 1000 Pound Crane Weigh Scale
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Hydroway Scales Inc, HydroScale 1000 Pound Crane Weigh Scale. Item itself weighs approx 40-50 lbs. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 13.5" H x 13.5" W x 8" D
Category
Late 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Vintage Bausch
Lomb Optical XD 7489 Medical Supply Test
By Bausch
Lomb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Optical XD 7489 Medical Supply Test. Item features a Bausch & Lomb optical device. We are not exactly sure what is used for or wha...
Category
Late 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Era Weber-Costello 12 Inch Desk World Globe with Turned Wooden Base
By Weber
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This small Art Deco era desk World globe was made by the Weber-Costello Co. of Chicago Heights Illinois of the United States in 1921 in the period Ar...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Important Georgian Mahogany Mercury Stick Barometer by Stott, Dumfries
Located in Norwich, GB
Fine Georgian mahogany bow fronted stick barometer. Bow fronted glass set in front of the silvered register plate with sliding vernier controlled by an ivory turned knob. Concertina ...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany, Ivory
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 adjustm...
Category
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Old French Barometer with Love Knot
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Old French barometer with love knot, suitable in your kitchen or study room or.....everywhere. It is useful because working and beautiful to admire.
Completely hand carved. Good pric...
Category
Early 20th Century French Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
American Victorian Brass Scale
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian green painted iron and brass scale with 2 brass trays.
Category
19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Anatomical model of the lower limb, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, didactic use, depicting the lower limb, tilting on a fork supported by a black lacquered wooden base.
Made in scagliola and finished entirely in colour....
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
19th Century French Iron
Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and metal scale blends utilitarian craftsmanship with a distinctive aged character. The cast-iron base, finished in its original deep green paint with w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Metal
19th Century French Iron
Brass Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and brass scale captures the elegance of traditional workshop craftsmanship, harmonizing strong industrial lines with warm metallic detail. The cast-iro...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
19th Century French Iron
Zinc Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and zinc scale embodies the utilitarian beauty of traditional workshop craftsmanship, defined by its sturdy cast-iron base and gracefully balanced armat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Zinc
19th Century French Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron scale displays a compelling blend of utilitarian design and sculptural presence, marked by its richly patinated cast-iron form and gracefully balanced s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron scale presents a striking combination of sculptural form and industrial utility, distinguished by its elegantly cast base and beautifully aged patina. T...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron scale features a bold, well-crafted silhouette that reflects the utilitarian elegance of traditional French workshop tools. The cast-iron base showcases...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Iron
Marble Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and marble scale features a charming blend of utilitarian form and refined materiality. The cast-iron mechanism retains its ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Iron
19th Century French Iron
Marble Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and marble scale is a robust example of practical workshop craftsmanship, characterized by its substantial cast-iron body an...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Iron
19th Century French Iron
Marble Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and marble scale stands out for its graceful silhouette and beautifully balanced materials. The cast-iron base features a re...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Iron
19th Century French Iron
Marble Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and marble scale showcases a refined interplay of utilitarian construction and understated elegance. The cast-iron base, mar...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Iron
19th Century French Iron
Marble Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and marble scale embodies the tactile charm of early utilitarian craftsmanship, combining robust materials with a distinctly...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Iron
19th Century French Iron
Marble Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French iron and marble scale is a striking example of utilitarian craftsmanship elevated by elegant materials and balanced proportions. ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Iron
Anatomical Print on Paper, Depicting a Fetus Skeleton, France, 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
A rare couple of French anatomical lithographs of the fetus skeleton, in a vintage metal frame. Great quality and artistic composition.
Printe...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique English Victorian Brass Letter Scale
Weights, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Victorian Brass Letter Scale with Weights, Circa 1880-1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Botanic model depicting a Vitis vinifera flower, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A botanic didactical specimen, depicting a Vitis vinifera flower, pale yellow green color made out of papier mache, plaster and wood hand painted. Extremely detailed. Paravia Milano,...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Oversize steelbridge scale for butcher
s use, Kingdom of Sardinia 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Figurative brass Butcher’s weighbridge. Weighs up to 44 pounds. Complete of main “ Romano” principal weight and additionals “Romanos” for detailed weight. Pedimont and Sardinia King...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Resuscitation Male Dummy Training Head
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage resuscitation man's head. Open mouth connected to tubes that would raise chest for CPR training. Resuscitation dummies were invented in th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Steampunk Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
Gorgeous Edwardian Inlaid Barometer by George Odell
Located in Dublin, IE
A gorgeous quality Edwardian inlaid mahogany barometer by George Odell, with beautiful marquetry detail of fan and shell motifs.
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany, Glass
Ebony, brass and ivory pantograph, signed Lennel, Paris 1780.
Located in Milan, IT
Brass and ebony wood pantograph, in its original mahogany box. The wheels are made of ivory. The instrument shows the signature of the maker Lennel à La Sphére à Paris. France 1780. ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A seed scale model, France 1830.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare model of scale for seeds. Wooden and iron. France 1830 ca.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Botanic Model Brendel, Germany, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Syringa vulgaris N. 37 (Uleaceae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the flo...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
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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