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Scientific Instruments For Sale
19th Century Silvered Pocket Sundial
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant 19th-century pocket sundial, designed to be worn or carried, made of silvered metal with finely engraved details. This compact and functional timepiece reflects the refinemen...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Tellurium mechanical/electrical model of the solar system Phiwe Italian 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Tellurium, i.e., mechanical/electrical model representative of the solar system, made of metal with green and gray hammered paint, lithographed tin globe, plastic Moon, and metal bas...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Kent s Knife Cleaning, Polishing Sharpening Wheel with Original Labels
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Victorian knife cleaning and sharpening machine was made by Kent's of London England in circa 1880 in the period Victorian style. The machine is composed of two sharpening stones...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stone, Metal

Small Antique English Brass Magnifying Glass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely little magnifying glass made from solid brass with a handle; the perfect size to pop in the pocket or bag. Dating to c.1910, Edwardian in era, the magnifier works well and ...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut C. Engel Cie Verviers
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Verviers Belgium by C. Engel & Cie Opticiens Verviers High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Decorative Antique Victorian 1890 James Beall Morrison Treadle Dentist Drill
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian, circa 1890 James Beall Morrison Treadle Dentist drill Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international. Dental treadle drill, English manufacture, 1890-1940 The foot pedal is pushed up and down to power this dental drill. It is also known as a ‘treadle drill’. The drill removed areas of tooth decay. These can become infected and painful if untreated. The treadle drill was invented in 1871 by American dentist James Beall Morrison (1829-1917). He also designed dental chairs. His drill was popular with dentists throughout Europe and America. It is an example of the first mechanically powered drill. These sped up dental treatments This one seems to be in fully working order from what I can see, it’s a real survivor but then that’s not surprising, things made in the Victorian era were made to last Dimensions Height:- 144cm Width:- 52.5cm Depth:- 38cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid This item is available for collection from our Pulborough warehouses RH20 1DF. We can have it delivered nationwide to include Scotland Wales and Ireland. Please contact me via email or my contact information...
Category

1890s English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Antique Drawing Instrument Set in Rosewood Box 1900
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Drawing Instrument Set in Rosewood Box, France, 1900. A wonderful set of drawing instruments / calipers / compasses to draw and dr...
Category

Early 20th Century French Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Pair of Glass Pharmacy Jars, Italy, 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
Pair of glass pharmacy jars, Italy, 1930s Found in an old disused pharmacy. Good condition. One has an imperceptible chip on the edge. Being handcra...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Italian Artist s Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Vintage Handmade Egg Timer Hourglass in Wooden Textile Bobbin Spool 3min Timer
Located in Bishop s Stortford, GB
Vintage Handmade Egg Timer Hourglass in Wooden Textile Bobbin Spool 3min Timer. Crafted with precision, the hourglass features fine sand that flows smoothly, symbolizing the passage ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

19th Century Mother of Pearl and Repousse Swirled Gold Handle 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 Pearlwith Gold twisted swirl that leads into an...
Category

19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold

19th Century Mother of Pearl and Gold Handle Fountain Pen with 14k Eversharp 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 Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold

1820-35 Large Clock Barometer by Silvani Brighton Antique Forecast Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Rare large barometer complete with clock signed Silvani Brighton, dated from 1820 and 1835. Finely crafted mahogany wood case with double thread at th...
Category

1840s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Small Antique 6 Draw Pocket Telescope, English, Travel, Baker, London, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique 6-draw pocket telescope, an English hiking or navigational instrument by Baker of London, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1860. Perfect for bird wa...
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Optical Magnifying Glass with Stand – Precision Glass and Matte Black Metal
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This 19th-century optical magnifying glass is a true testament to the scientific and artisanal craftsmanship of its time. Made from high-precision glass, it was originally part of op...
Category

19th Century French Modern Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

1950s Vintage Vornado Gray Electric Window Wall Fan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Vintage Wall Unit Vornado Industrial Gray Electric Window Fan 18 h 37 w (open) 25.5 w closed x 9.5 d Preowned unrestored vintage condition. Missing circle with label in center ...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Swiss Gold and Enamel Telescope
Located in New Orleans, LA
Scientifically advanced and exquisitely crafted, this rare 19th-century gold and enamel Swiss telescope is an item of exceptional luxury. The Swiss cre...
Category

19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Antique Cased Microscope, English, Scientific Instrument, Swift Son, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased microscope. An English, black enamel scientific instrument by J. Swift & Son of London, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 191...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Carl Zeiss cold war era 10 x 50 periscope binoculars
Located in London, GB
A cold war era Carl Zeiss Oberkochen 10 x 50 periscope binoculars, German, circa 1965. Specifications: 10 times magnification, coated optics, objective diameter 50 mm, grey filter and drop down grid. Original transport case. (included protective feet pads and rubber eye guards). Dimensions of the case: 29 x 18 1/2 x 11 inches. (73 x 47 x 28 cm). Mounted on an adjustable height tripod. Height of periscope in photographs: 77 inches. This model of Zeiss periscope...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

19th C. John Byrne Brass Telescope with tripod
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
19th C. John Byrne brass telescope with tripod. Marked John Byrne New York 1882. 3.5 inch refracting telescope with 43.5 inch main tube. A wonderful piece of history, Optics are not ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

George III Banjo Mahogany Barometer by R. Taylor, Chepstow, England c. 1820
By R. Taylow
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Four-dial Barometer/Thermometer in Mahogany, dating from the George III period, and English in origin. Signed at the base "R. Taylor Chepstow". The barometer with swan neck pedim...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Reynolds Branson Ltd Scientific Instrument Leeds Tangent Galvanometer 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage tangent galvanometer produced by Reynolds & Branson Ltd - Scientific Instrument Makers - Leeds. Wooden base with three brass leveling screws and glass bell jar cloche. Dimen...
Category

20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

French Vintage Massive Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This massive culinary or produce scale from Lyon, France is the perfect antique accessory to elevate any kitchen. The base is made of solid waxed pine wi...
Category

19th Century French Rustic Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Copper, Iron

Walter Bosse Cow Figurine with Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a nice cow figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by H...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid Century West German Made Weather Station by Relative Hygrometer
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-Century "Sputnik" table barometer weather station made in West Germany by Relative Hygrometer. This desktop space-age Sputnik-style weather station Features an acrylic ball housi...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

French Barometer Gilt Wood Verre Èglomisè
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Giltwood and Verre Èglomisè Barometer. A verre èglomisè (French for “gilded glass”) barometer is a decorative barometer featuring elaborate glasswork and involvin...
Category

19th Century French Charles X Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood, Glass

1880 Earnst Plank Magic Lantern, Box Plus 72 Slides
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful and decorative 1800 magic lantern full boxed set. It was created by Ernst Plank and each slide box is signed. It comes with an amazing ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open. The original use was a flea trap, things were d...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

1920s Mahogany Brass Antique Tool Carpentry Scribe
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mahogany Wood & Patinated Brass Antique Old Carpentry Marking Tool circa 1920s USA Carpenter Scribe Marking Gauge Vintage Wood Working Tool in Wood ...
Category

1920s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Ancient Planet Model, Tellurium, FR. J. Berg, Stockholm, circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Ancient planet model so-called tellurium Stockholm Metal, wood, paper around 1900 Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 x 56 x 20 cm Description: Display model with sun, earth and moon on hea...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1970
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1970 A vintage folding model of an ear. Used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1960. Made of wood and plastic by Somso, Ge...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic, Wood

Fassamano French Tortoise Antique Eyeglasses Second Half 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Fassamano (from the French face-a-main) eyeglasses with handle that turns into a case shaped like the lenses; dark tortoise eyeglasses, oval lenses...
Category

1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

Machine Age Art Deco Doctors or Bathroom Floor Model Scale Weigh Master by Hanso
Located in New York, NY
Great Machine Age, American Art Deco floor scale, Weigh Master by Hanson. The scale is fully functional, it shows cosmetic wear to the paint finish, and th...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Victorian Aneriod Wall Barometer
Located in Norwich, GB
Victorian Aneriod Barometer with gilded and chased outer casing mounted on a mahogany board. Beautifully engraved silvered dial with seven weather indications, the scale reading f...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

French Victorian Brass Opera Glasses
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian mother of pearl and brass opera glasses with handle
Category

Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Vintage 3-Draw Telescope, English, Navigation, Astrological, Broadhurst Clarkson
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 3-draw telescope. An English, leather and brass navigational or astronomical instrument, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930. Perfect for bird watching, l...
Category

1930s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category

20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

18th Century German Portable Ivory Sundial — Possibly Nuremberg
Located in Madrid, ES
Exceptional portable sundial made of engraved ivory, a fine example of German craftsmanship from the 18th century, possibly produced in Nuremberg, one of Europe’s historic centers fo...
Category

Early 18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bone

Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Black and silver Art Deco design on both sides Show...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English Brass, Leather, Newton Co, Victorian, C.1870
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3 draw telescope. An English, brass and leather dressed refractor by Newton & Co, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870. Perfect for bird watching, landscape...
Category

1870s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Compass with Pocket Sundial, with Case, Bronze, Butterfield, Michael 1635-1724
Located in Madrid, ES
Compass with pocket sundial, with case. Bronze. BUTTERFIELD, Michael (1635-1724). Paris, circa 1700. Pocket sundial made of engraved metal, with a gno...
Category

Early 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Other

Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Tortoiseshell Clock and Barometer Set by Gleizes
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze and Tortoiseshell Clock and Barometer set by Gleizes French, 19th Century Height 115cm, width 30cm, depth 7cm In the Louis XV style, t...
Category

19th Century French Rococo Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ormolu

Large Painted Plexiglas Terrestrial Globe, France circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Important relief earth globe representing the oceans and the continents. The globe is made of painted plexiglas, fixed to the marble base by a brass axis. France around 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Surveyor s Level, English, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Halden Sons
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique surveyor's level. An English, brass scientific instrument by J. Halden & Sons of Manchester, dating to the early 20th century, circ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Working English Cast Iron Cheese Press Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A rare antique and all original fully functioning cast iron English cheese press, by Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury, circa 1880. This cheese press has just ...
Category

1880s English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Maritime, Day or Night, Richardson, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique 2-draw telescope. An English, terrestrial or maritime ‘Day or Night’ instrument by Richardson of London, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Perfect fo...
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Impressive Antique Brass Dolland Co. Telescope With Case for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large antique Dolland & Co brass telescope with labeled wood box with accessories as shown. Engraved brass lens G. Dollond, London. Comes with tall wooden stand or smaller brass tri...
Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Stereoscope Bar Parallax, Scientific Instrument, JM Glauser, London
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage stereoscope bar parallax. An English, brass scientific instrument for measuring depth in aerial photographs or maps, by JM Glauser & Sons of London, dating to the m...
Category

1950s English Other Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Rare 19th Century Large Original Painted Lightning Rod on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic folky oversized 19th century mustard over copper Lightning rod ball on a professional iron stand. The base is a plank of original work that the...
Category

19th Century American Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper

Art Deco Desk Tabletop Rotary Restored Telephone By Monogram Black with Trim
By Monogram
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic Monogram Art Deco desk tabletop telephone with metal accents in excellent antique condition with minimal wear. Restored with new cords. See all pics
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

1940 s WW2 Binoculars.
Located in Aspen, CO
Nikon marine binoculars mounted on a wooden period tripod, these exceptional binoculars display entirely Original optics in a distinctly Japanese straight-body instrument with 15mm x magnification with 80 mm objective naval lens that have been originally restored in a time-consuming process to reveal a crystal clear Image.A one of a kind pair of Nikon binoculars...
Category

1940s Japanese Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Silver

Early 20th Century Walnut Cased Barometer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century walnut cased barometer Beautiful barometer. Dimensions 43" long x 13" wide x 5.5" at the crown x 5" at the bottom. The door on the back reveals the inner wor...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Illuminated Magnifying Glass Eagle Hong Kong
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Eagle Magnifying Glass Hong Kong 2.75 h x 4.5 diameter x 9.5 long reading magnifying glass with light by EAGLE  stamped by maker Preowned vintage condition Refer to images
Category

Late 20th Century Hong Kong Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer, Attributed to Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
This stunning gilt bronze clock and barometer pair was created in circa 1860 in France. The two have been attributed to Raingo Frères, the prestigious, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Vintage Fairbanks Scales Wrought Iron and Brass Scale with Weights
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage wrought iron and brass scale with weights is made in the United States by Fairbanks Scales, one of the nation's oldest industrial manufacturing...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Italian Renaissance Chrome Armillary
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (20th Century) chrome armillary globe with a rust patina.
Category

20th Century American Renaissance Revival Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

Antique Colmont French FT Binoculars Leather Paris
By Lawrence and Mayo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Vintage Colmont FT Paris binoculars Colmont a French optical company known for producing high-quality binoculars  leather-covered body maker stamp present 7.75 x 5 ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments

Materials

Shell

Early 20th Century English Postal Scale
Located in Atlanta, GA
This finely crafted Early 20th Century English postal scale is a striking example of the functional yet elegant design typical of the period. The scale is mounted on a polished woode...
Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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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