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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Large, Antique Telescope Tripod, English, Pine, Observatory, Rack, circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large, antique telescope tripod. An English, pine observatory rack dating to the late 19th century, circa 1900. Original painted ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Pine

A pharmacy mushroom model: Amanita Virosa, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Amanita Virosa 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

Louis XVI Style Barometers and Thermometers by H. Dasson, France, Circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
A companion pair of Louis XVI style barometer and thermometer finely decorated with gilt bronze acanthus leaves and seeds on green velvet, each with a polychrome decorated enamel pla...
Category

1880s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Enamel, Bronze

Pair of French Walnut Clocks Barometers
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French (Mid-19th Century) clock and barometer inset into carved walnut pendant frames. Crowned bearded male heads with decorative swags, scrolls, and floral wreaths. (PRICED ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Botanic Model of Inflorescence, the Spiga, Italy 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanic didactical model of one type of inflorescence specimen, the Spiga, made out of hand painted colored plaster gems, wooden branches and pa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

A pharmacy mushroom model: Rhodocollybia Butyracea, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Rhodocollybia Butyracea 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

A pharmacy mushroom model: Morchella Vulgaris, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Morchella Vulgaris 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

Decorative Alidade, Metal, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
It has a cover to protect the lens made of the same gold metal in which the rest of the instrument is made. The lines, pure and clean, are the protagonists, and make it a great opti...
Category

20th Century Unknown Other Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Other

A pharmacy mushroom model: Tricholoma Sulphureum, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Tricholoma Sulphureum 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

Charpentier French Victorian Brass Scale
By P. Charpentier a Paris 1
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian brass scale with 2 round trays on square wooden base (signed CHARPENTIER with hallmark)
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Botanic Model Brendel, Germany, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Triticum Vulgare N.11A (Gramineae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the fl...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Apothecary precision scale, travelling set, France 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Precision travel scale, pharmaceutical use. The box is made of oak wood. The scale can be completely disassembled and positioned inside the drawer. A lever allows you to lift the pla...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, England 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. England early 19th century.
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Italian Venetian Gilt Wood Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) gilt carved and black painted barometer,with wreath top and cornucopia sides with scroll motifs.
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Large Mid-Century Modern Didactic Resin Anatomical Model Jaw
Located in Weesp, NL
Big 1960s anatomical jaw teaching model in perfect condition. This beautiful resin jaw can be taken apart as shown in the images. It was made in the 1960s by Rudiger Anatomie in Berl...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Resin

A pharmacy mushroom model: Agaricus Bisporus Imach, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Agaricus Bisporus Imbach 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

Ancient plaster anatomical model of a flayed foot, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a flayed foot. Made of plaster, in excellent condition and with original patina. Anatomical study use. Italy circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Signed, Christopher Eberhardt, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian bronze mortar and pestle. Christopher Eberhardt, Anno J667 Grabavw, Early 19th Century. Measures: 7.25" diameter at top, 5.75" diamete...
Category

1830s Italian Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century 2 Day Marine Chronometer by James McCabe, No. 199
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
Number 199, a two day marine chronometer by James McCabe, London, beautifully signed and numbered on the dial and movement, and the number on the bottom of the bowl. In a three part ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

A pharmacy mushroom model: Phallus Impudicus, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Phallum Impudicus 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

Industrial Design Science Vintage Black Cast Iron Dentist Machine 19th Century
Located in Vienna, AT
19th Century Industrial design black cast iron dentist machine circa 1890 Austria. Museums worthy best Industrial design dentist machine from black cast iron body and brass details ...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Iron

British Admiralty Mark III Clinometer
Located in Norwell, MA
Clinometer inspectors forty five degree mark III admiralty pattern instrument. Made by E.R. Watts & Son, London. No 23374. Fitted to a mahogany case with leather strap. 5" H x 13" W ...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Botanical Ceramic Educational Blooming Hazelnut Intersection
By Osterloh Modell
Located in Weesp, NL
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern hand painted ceramic intersection of a blooming Hazelnut, Corylus Avellana. This rare sculptural piece is in great condition as can be seen in the images. Made in Leipzig, German Democratic Republic...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ceramic

An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

16th Century Cast Iron Mortar
Located in Brussels, Brussels
16th century cast iron mortar with two very beautiful handles Beautiful original object with a great patina and in very good condition.
Category

16th Century French Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

19th Century German Anatomical Didactic Abdominal Pelvis Model attr. to Sommer
By Marcus Sommer
Located in London, GB
Antique Anatomical Model, Medical Antique, Anatomical Antique, Vintage Anatomical Model, Antique Cabinet of Curiosities, Gothic Antique, Anatomical Sculpture. Antique 19th Century G...
Category

Late 19th Century German Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Paint, Paper

Blown glass scientific instrument, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument to evaluate the expansion of the liquids with the warmth. Italy circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Indonesian Mechanical Drill, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, an Indonesian artisan living on Lombok, an island well known for its weaving, made his living using this handsome hand-crafted drill. The antique tool is beautifully constr...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper, Iron

Early 20th Century Death Cap Fly Agaric Model Fungi Natural History
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Very well modeled pair of Fungi's, circa 1920/30 in age, European in origins. Mounted on turned ebonised bases, each with a moss covered ground. Modeled with a composite paper mach...
Category

1920s European Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

English Brass Urn Marble Base Scale . Circa 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass scale with centered urn , feather pointer , brass pans, marble base , and terminating on brass ball feet. All original . Early 19t...
Category

1810s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Brass

Ornate 19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett Son, Bristol.
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Ornate 19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett & Son, Bristol. This is a very ornate set of Scales in cast iron they would have been used for weighing sacks of many agr...
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Tunbridge Wells Ruler, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The ruler with differing scales on each side.
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern British Ilford Selo Photography Film Store Display
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This store display was made for the English film manufacturer, Ilford to advertise their Selo film line during the 1960s in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The frame of the disp...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Industrial Copper Fluid Level Instrument
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid copper industrial ship or factory tube with clear view glass. Mounted to a round base that looks original. Tell us what this is! 62" H x 15" D. 92 lbs.
Category

1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper

19th Century French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
Embark on a journey through time with this exquisite 19th Century French Metal Scale, a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of a bygone era. Designed with the precision deman...
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Negretti and Zambra Aneroid Barometer, 19th Century
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Negretti & Zambra aneroid barometer. Large English oak, Gothic style barometer. Free shipping within the United States and Canada.
Category

19th Century Great Britain (UK) Gothic Antique Scientific Instruments

Antique Rustic Wood Zig Zag Folding Ruler Extension
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Extension Ruler Rustic Wood Folding Decorative Item Attributed to Lufkin or Stanley Closed .75 h x 1.75 d x 8 w, fully extended 55 fully extended Antique vintage un...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

large apothecary s ivory mortar - 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large apothecary's ivory mortar Indo-Portuguese 17th century 16,7 x 10,4 cm Cites certificate number 2022/BE01446/CE
Category

17th Century Indian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ivory

Victorian Marquetry Wall Barometer and Thermometer
Located in London, GB
Victorian marquetry wall barometer and thermometer. English, 19th century Measures: height 98cm, width 25cm, depth 7cm. This elegant piece is a fin...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Apothecary Stills, Italy, 1800
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of antique stills in blown glass from a pharmacy laboratory, mounted on a coeval wooden base in the shape of a parallelepiped. Italy around 1800.
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Blown Glass, Wood

Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte with Flower Motif
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Typical flower decor with the numeral indication of the temperature. Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) Born in the...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ceramic

Solid Brass Ships Nautical Miles Gauge
Located in Norwell, MA
Made in England by Thomas Walker and Son LTD Birmingham. Triple dial, anchor logo, nautical miles, and per mile and hundred miles gauges. Great piece of n...
Category

1970s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Patinated Copper Rooster Weather Vane with Cardinal Points
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique weather vane was created in Normandy, France, circa 1860. The traditional copper sculpture features a classic swivel French c...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Country Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper

Botanic Model of Inflorescence, Flower Head, Italy, 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical schematic model by Prof. T. Ferraris, didactic use, of a type of inflorescence specimen, the Simple Flower Head, made with hand-painte...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Italian Mid-Century Medical Laboratory Bed Brown Leather and White Metal, 1940s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Medical laboratory bed brown leather and white metal, 1940s Medical laboratory bed with cream white painted metal structure. The backrest, footrest and seat are p...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Cast Iron Personal Weighing Scales by JARASO
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cast Iron Personal Weighing Scales by JARASO Quirky scales to keep your weight personal, the weight registered by the scales can only be correctly vie...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Exquisite Boat Binnacle with Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass yacht compass fitted to a very fine varnished binnacle box with brass hinges and glass door. Also fitted with a varnished brass sidelight wit...
Category

1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Standard Bench Made Dies Steel Stamps Wood Box
By Standard Steel Company
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Standard Bench Made Dies Size 5/32 Steel Stamps Wood Box Name inscribed on box. 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.75 h Preowned unrestored original vintage co...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

c. 1899 NOS Complete Japanned Copper Dental Drill
Located in Dekalb, IL
This immaculate and incredibly rare piece of dental history originates from the office of Dr. Harry Wood - formerly located at 205 Huron Street in Berlin, WI. This complete dental drill set comes with everything - including the ornate japanned copper swing arm...
Category

1890s American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper

17th Century Lantern Alarm Clock by Johannes Quelch, Oxford
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
An English 17th century lantern clock made of brass and iron, circa 1665-1670. The clock consists of going and striking trains, as well as a...
Category

17th Century British Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

WWw11, Tiny Leather Attaché Case First Aid Medical Equipment
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
WW11, tiny leather attaché case first aid medical equipment This is a superb piece and is in excellent condition almost unused, the case is mad...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather

Set of Oak Doctors Scales
Located in Cheshire, GB
Set of doctors scales for C.F Thakray Chemists. The solid oak seat with shaped back alongside cast balance scale. standing on square sports with pull out ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Set of Oak Doctors Scales
Set of Oak Doctors Scales
$2,423 Sale Price
45% Off
17th Century Tripod Apothecary Skillet Dated 1698 from The Ward Rvmens Family
Located in Brussels, Brussels
17th century tripod apothecary skillet dated 1698 by Ward Rymens. The skillet is in superb condition and has had a restoration on one of the feet. bronze with a very beautiful patina.
Category

17th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Boat Binnacle Compass from the 19th Century
Located in Norwell, MA
Rare yacht binnacle with a highly polished gimballed compass fitted to a varnished box. The box has a polished brass side burner and hinges, hooks, and screws. First class nautical r...
Category

1890s North American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Fine Vintage Deyrolle Paris Anatomical Model of Human Lungs in Display Case
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage French anatomical medical teaching aid of a lung with a plaque reading Anatomie Humaine, Poumons & Coeur made by Deyrolle Paris. A very good looking and well made piece, hand made in France, there are two descriptive plaques, they read as below, this piece was made by Deyrolle Paris, they are a taxidermy store that has been in the same location since 1831, the brass mount is signed Deyrolle Paris Plaque 1 ANATOMIE HUMAINE POUMONS & COEUR Les Fils D’Emile Deyrolle 46 Rue Du Bac Paris Plaque 2...
Category

20th Century French Other Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Plastic

Copper Alloy Weights Marc System
Located in Leuven , BE
Copper alloy weights Marc system.
Category

19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut G.Tart Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Liege Belgium by G.Tart. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design ...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th Century Physics Teaching Wheel
Located in Santa Monica, CA
These educational wheels, with copper and black painted surfaces, were used by Physics teachers in the late 19th century. Please note we have two of these wheels available. One i...
Category

19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper, Brass

16th century Spanish Bronze Mortar with Letters M on the Sides
Located in Marbella, ES
16th century Spanish Bronze Mortar with Letters M on the Sides
Category

16th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
Les Fils D'Emile Deyrolle, Paris. Extremely rare set of five 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, Anatomie Vegetalf, beautifully ...
Category

19th Century French Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wire

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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