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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Set of 28 Geometric Bakelite Bauhaus Science Classroom Crystal Models, CZ 1930s
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 28 Geometric Bakelite Bauhaus Science Classroom Crystal Models, Prague, 1930s
Exceptional and rare set of twenty-eight geometric crystal models from a Czech science classroom...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
Vintage Surveyor
s Level, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Engineering, Circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage surveyor's level. An English, brass scientific instrument with enamelled finish, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950.
Appe...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Mother of Pearl and Repousse Gold Handle Fountain Pen with 14k Tip
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an elegant Gold design and ...
Category
19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
1940s English The Viking Scale
Weights by F. J. Thornton
Co. Ltd.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1940s The Viking scale & weights by F.J. Thornton & Co Ltd, Wolverhampton, UK. Cast iron black painted with gilt manufacturer's information & emblem. Brass weight & dry goods holders...
Category
1940s English Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique American "Bausch
Lomb" Compound Monocular Microscope, Circa 1890-1910.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique American "Bausch & Lomb" Microscope in Compound Monocular Design, Circa 1890-1910.
Rochester, NY
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French counter or grocer’s scale with two brass trays mounted on a white marble top. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and prod...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
Small Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Terrestrial Spyglass, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique three draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial spyglass, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Compact yet elegant, this diminutive instrument...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1920s Whiting Sculptoscope Coin Op Stereo Card Viewer
Located in Peekskill, NY
Original whiting sculpt scope coin-operated stereo card viewer from the 1920s. Deposit a penny, pull trigger and look through the viewer to flip through st...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Antique Cased Octant, Scottish, Ebony, Navigation Instrument, Sextant, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased octant. A Scottish, ebony navigational instrument, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1850.
Appealing navigation ins...
Category
1850s British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ebony, Walnut
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron
Metal Balance Scale #1, Circa 1890s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1—Circa 1890s
This Henry Troemner balance scale #1 is a remarkable antique cast iron scale, likely manufactured between th...
Category
Late 19th Century American High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron
19th Century R.
J. Beck Stereoscope
By R.&J. Beck 1
Located in Norwood, NJ
Museum quality tabletop Stereoscope by British maker R. & J. Beck London. It is fitted with with adjustable rack and pinion focusing and elevation adjustment for ease of viewing. Eac...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Bronze Pharmacy Mortar Italy-17° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant bronze mortar from the 17 century from Italy dated 1630.
Really rare mortar due to his big size.
In very good condition and beautiful patina.
Category
17th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique Trade Scale Brass and Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France; It was a scale used by traders for retail
Brass and Cast-Iron
Patina and signs of use which ma...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Brass
$814 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Mahogany Barometer F Somalvico Antique Weather Measuring Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Barometer complete with clock signed F. Somalvico N ° 11 Brook Str. Holborn London datable between 1810 and 1820. Finely crafted mahogany wood case with cedar wood edges. Large silve...
Category
1810s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Wrap Reel Machine, English, Factory, Cotton, John Nesbitt, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique rotary wrap reel machine. An English, brass and cast iron factory cotton skein winder by John Nesbitt of Manchester, dating to the late...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Style Chased Repoussé Gilt Telephone with Carved Jade Inset
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique French style telephone. Decorated in the Asian style. Hand chased gilt brass. Inset with carved jade moth plaque. Bakelite and brass handset. Signed. Circa 1920's. Made by Be...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Jade, Metal, Brass
Antique Box Field Camera and Tripod, English, Accessories, Ornamental, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Field Camera and tripod. An English, mahogany and brass plate camera with accessories and lens, dating to the late Victorian p...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique French Holosteric Library Barometer
Located in Norwell, MA
Nineteenth-century holosteric library barometer with "PHBN" logo (Pertuis, Hulot, Naudet), the French maker. Copperish brass case with hanging ring. Faceplate is segmented to thirty-...
Category
1890s North American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A land surveying square, France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Octagonal brass land surveying square. Each side has a slot, which allows to aim the distance and evaluate 90 and 45 degrees when measuring the field. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Globemaster Brass
Bronzed Metal Floor Globe by Replogle 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
A globemaster floor globe by Replogle offers globe on brass and bronzed metal base having swivel carriage on column with circular foot, 20th c...
Category
20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Carpenters Pine Tool Chest and Tools The chest is in pine
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Carpenters Pine Tool Chest and Tools
The chest is in pine with metal banding, it is set on wheels and has layers of trays
We have left the contents of the chest with i...
Category
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Pine
Collection of Vintage Lab Glass Decanters
By Pyrex
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Set of three glass lab decanters with removable stoppers.
Shown with life size hand model for scale.
CREATOR Pyrex.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1970-1980.
MATERI...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Early 19th Century Giltwood Barometer "Selon Toricelli"
Located in Madrid, ES
Barometer end of the 18th century, Directorie, in carved and gilded wood, by Selon Toriceli, with allegory music wing on the top, beautiful patina, and decorative barometer...
Category
19th Century French Directoire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
$1,790 Sale Price
48% Off
BMT 110 mm Binoculars
By Kazan
Located in Aspen, CO
BMT-110 Soviet Marine Binocular Telescope – 20x110mm Cold War Era Optics, Circa 1950s
Step into the history of Cold War surveillance and maritime observation with this rare Soviet B...
Category
20th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
$35,000
Antique W.
T. Avery English Victorian Brass
Mahogany Balance Beam Scale
By W
T Avery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique W.& T. Avery English Victorian Brass & Mahogany Balance Beam Scale. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 26" H x 22" W x 12" D.
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Balance, English, Mahogany, Scientific Scales, Stanton Instruments, 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage analytical balance. An English, mahogany cased set of scientific scales by Stanton Instruments of London, dating to the mid-20th c...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Pair of Cased Binoculars, English, Brass, Optical Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pair of cased binoculars. An English, enamel brass optical instrument, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900.
Appealing weathering and presented in an attrac...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Unusual Mesmerizing Hand Built Hypnotic Wheel, by Melvin Powers, 1951
By Marilyn Powers
Located in Buffalo, NY
Melvin Powers is considered the king of hypnosis in this country. His first self published book entitled hypnotism revealed is still in print and first published in 1949, He self pub...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Set of Six Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Models by Somso Germany 1950s
By Somso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage models of botanical scientific specimen depicts mushrooms native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showpie...
Category
20th Century German Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Composition
Antique Telescope, English, 6-Draw, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Victorian, 1860
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique telescope, an English six-draw terrestrial or maritime instrument, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1860.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, ...
Category
1860s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th C. Portuguese Nautical Brass Gimbal Mounted Barometer
Located in North Miami, FL
SIGNED J.J.B.L.M - 16 a 22 RN Desterro Lisbon to face, this barometer is a very Rare and unusual mid-19th century polished brass marine barometer mounted on a gimble, the steel face ...
Category
Late 19th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Metal Binoculars with Case, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Binoculars with case.
Decoration complements.
Silver metal binoculars with graducation nuts and clean and elegant lines. Inspired by classic models. Weight: 945 gr."
Size: 9 x 15...
Category
20th Century Unknown Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Other
Superb Pair Antique Opera Glasses c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A truly stunning pair of French Opera glasses made from polished brass and clad with shell.
This pair comes with a telescopic lorgnette handle and folds away nicely when not if use....
Category
1910s French Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
20th Century French Vintage Art Deco Metal Berkel Auto Weighing Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A French Art Deco model of a vintage Berkel auto weighing scale in working condition. On the front of the Berkel up to 1kg, on the back it has an old fashioned weighing system. The s...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Kodak Vigilante Junior Six-20 Folding Camera c.1940-1948
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An Art Deco Kodak Vigilante Junior Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Folds neatly to 1.5 i...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
$90 Sale Price
21% Off
Brass Pivoting Bullseye Magnifying Glass / Lens on Stand c.1915
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome antique English magnifying glass / bullseye lens on stand which pivots on a ball and socket fitting, moving around with ease.
Dating to c.1915, it remains in excellent co...
Category
1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
FER model logarithmic circular slide rule H 39 n. 1675 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
FER model logarithmic circular slide rule H 39 No. 1675 from the 1930s, Italian Patent No. 1680, housed in its original round-shaped wooden box like the instrument, complete with in...
Category
1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
Antique Officer of the Watch Telescope, English, Ross of London, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Officer of the Watch telescope. An English, brass single draw terrestrial or marine spyglass by Ross of London, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. A ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique American Ransom
Randolph # 65 Carved Oak Dental Cabinet Toledo OH 1900
Located in Portland, OR
Antique American carved oak dental cabinet manufactured by The Ransom & Randolph C., Toledo Ohio, Circa 1899.
Arguably one of the best dental cabinets ever made, with so many unique features (and forgive the pun) cutting edge technology of the late 19th century. This cabinet was patented in 1899 and made of solid quarter sawn oak throughout, with carved accents above the beveled shaped mirror and carved & pierced brackets to the base with turned ribbed column supports.
The cabinet has a removable travel drawer case for making house calls, to the top of the case is a brass carrying handle and a brass plaque with the manufacturers name and "Patent applied for", making this one of the earliest manufactured of this model. The cabinet has paneled sides and a paneled back, the front is fitted with cupboard with two adjustable swing out arms with revolving circular trays. Below, the cabinet is fitted with serpentine shaped drawers to the front, a lift up mirror to the top right hand-side enclosing a stepped...
Category
1890s American American Craftsman Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mirror, Oak
Antique Noon Day Gun Cannon Sundial by Abercrombie
Fitch
Located in Sandwich, MA
Rare noon day gun cannon sundial by Abercrombie & Fitch circa 1910. Unique garden instrument which fires a small signal charge when the magnifying glass...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Large Arts
Crafts Hand-Carved Nutwood Barometer with Thermometer, Early 1900s
Located in Lisse, NL
This rare and decorative early 20th-century Arts & Crafts wall barometer and thermometer is a striking testament to Dutch craftsmanship. Hand-carved from a single solid piece of rich...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
German Reflecting Telescope in Limited Edition from the Deutsches Museum in 1978
Located in Sofia, BG
Gregory brass spyglass - Deutsches Museum 1978/79 limited edition.
This reflecting foldable telescope is being published in a worldwide limited edition...
Category
Late 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A paradoxical orrery that demonstrates the earth-moon system. Italy circa 1860.
Located in Milan, IT
A paradoxical orrery that demonstrates the earth-moon system and its movement. The base of the planetarium is made of fruit wood, circular in shape with three bell-shaped wood feet. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Book Press with 4 Drawer Stone Top Flat Art File Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A working antique iron book press which sits atop a four drawer art storage cabinet with two brass identification card holders on each drawer. ...
Category
19th Century Rustic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Brass, Iron
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
1855 Astronomical Plate of Distance of the Planets by FJ Huntington New York
Located in Milan, IT
Plate of the distance of the planets “Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1855 by F.J. Huntington in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for th...
Category
1850s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Antique Rosewood and Mahogany Putty Knives
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A set of antique putty knives with Rosewood, Mahogany and brass handles.
CREATOR Embee, Red Devil
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1920-1950.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Steel...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Large, Good Condition and Stylish Antique English Victorian Oak Wall Barometer
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning design and top quality executed antique barometer.
This late 19th-early 20th century, English manufactured wall barometer has everything that makes an antique worthwhile. F...
Category
Early 20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Brass Telescope w/ Spotting Scope
Stabilizer Bar on Tripod Stand 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass and polished steel telescope with spotting scope, adjustable stabilizer bar, and mounted on folding tripod stand, 19th Century.
Manufacturer T. Cooke & Sons, York. Tel...
Category
1870s American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut 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
Large Studio Portrait Camera
Located in Peekskill, NY
Cameras are not my expertise but we could not pass up on this beauty. The camera is signed ANSCO and the large lens reads DARLO OPTICIEN, PARIS 35436. I'm told that this lens is the most valuable...
Category
Early 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A ubiquitous classic in the home or the market, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weig...
Category
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
$350 Sale Price
30% Off
Maitland Smith Art Nouveau Style Large Standing Brass Nautilus Magnifying Glass
Located in Doylestown, PA
Maitland Smith Art Nouveau style large standing nautilus magnifying glass.
Lots of intricate details capture the beauty of this intriguing sea crea...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Schaeffer
Budenberg Stationary Steam Engine Model w Copper Boiler
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Schaeffer & Budenberg stationary steam engine model. Made of cast iron featuring copper boiler
The Budenberg Gauge Company was founded in 1918. The original pa...
Category
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Copper
1970
s Japanese Nikon 20 x 120 Big Eye Military Binoculars
Tripod
By Nikon
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
An iconic piece of Japanese military-grade optics, this pair of Nikon 20×120 binocular telescopes represents one of the most highly regarded large-format observation instruments of t...
Category
1970s Japanese Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze
Vintage Mid-Century Globe Meat Slicer Sculptural Enameled Iron
Stainless
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and powerful, 1/4hp GM Delco motor. Globe deli meat slicer from the forties. Super quiet motor with a new cord and switch. In excellent vintage co...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stainless Steel, Enamel, Iron, Chrome, Steel
Huger West Germany Meteobar skeleton design years
60 rare real fine barometer
Located in Biella, IT
Huger West Germany meteobar design in years '60 rare and real fine skeleton barometer
the barometer is in brass and is perfect vintage and original, working condition
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Root Bowl, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A unique and large root bowl from Norway, Scandinavia, dated 1818. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use.
Category
19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Opera Theatre Glasses, Binoculars with Leather Case
Located in Miami, FL
Good quality pair of opera glasses, binoculars with their original leather case.
In very good condition.
Glass clean and clear.
All mechanical settings work.
Optics has no sc...
Category
20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Bakelite
$350 Sale Price
29% Off
Antique 19th Century Folding English Medical Bloodletting Bleeder Fleam
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique 19th Century folding english medical or veterinary bloodletting bleeder fleam also known as phlebotomy, was a common medical practice for centuries, believed to cure a wide r...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
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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