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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Triangular Vintage White Opaline Art Glass and Brass Kaleidoscope
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Art Glass and Brass Kaleidoscope.
This white opaline kaleidoscope has triangular form and has a rotating blue glass ball for amazing effects.
Category
20th Century American Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
$201 Sale Price
20% Off
Miele Vintage Vacuum Cleaner, Type E10
Located in Budapest, Budapest
Torpedo shaped vacuum cleaner in good condition.
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
French 1940
s Equestrian Brass
Mercury-in-Glass Thermometer
Located in Hanover, MA
Even Maria Pergay would have to respect the quality and artfulness of the brass-work on this wall hanging in the form of a stirrup suspended from a buckled harness made of hand rivet...
Category
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Floor Standing Telescope by Piet G. Meesters
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This beautiful floor standing telescope, 60mm f/15 NEDOPTIFA, dates from the 1930s and was made by Piet G. Meesters.
One of the most famous Dutch amateur astronomers of the last cent...
Category
1930s Dutch Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Large 18th c. Wooden Jointer Plane c.1700-1799
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique wooden carpentry plane used to make trim and moldings. Shown with life size hand mold for scale.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1700s.
MATERIA...
Category
18th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
$200 Sale Price
20% Off
19th c. Giltwood Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Carved and Giltwood Louis XVI Style Barometer
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument. By putting two electrically neutral spheres in contact with each other, when a charged wand is approached, it is possible to notice...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Blown Glass
Large 19th Century Cast Iron , bronze, copper
marbel Butcher
s Balance Scale
Located in Buffalo, NY
A rare and visually commanding late 19th-century iron/ bronze balance scale, attributed to J. Motk & Co., circa 1890. this exquisite scale would have served in a traditional butcher’...
Category
1890s Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Copper, Iron
American Country Brass Coffee Grinder
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) brass coffee grinder with etched floral design.
Category
19th Century American Country Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1900s Brass Bakelite Magnetic Topographer Compass Surveyor Measurement Instrumen
Located in Milan, IT
Magnetic topographer compass from the early 1900s, brass and bakelite base; instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane, marking with its tip th...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Manufactured for SEARS is the equivalent of a Smith-Corona Classic 12.
Features a stylish mid century...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Pair of Antique Customs
Excise Measures, English, Etched Glass Beakers C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique Customs & Excise measures. An English, etched glass governmental beaker set, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. A rare and intriguing example of ...
Category
1920s British Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Pair of Louis XVI Ormulu Wall Clocks
Barometers
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Louis XVI-style (Mid-19th Century) ormolu wall clock and barometer set each of banjo form with Apollo mask above putti and ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
$115,000 / set
Carved oak wall hanging Banjo barometer
Located in Cheshire, GB
Carved oak barometer, the shaped carved oak frame with rectangular thermometer encased by glass. Above the silvered dial with silvered bezel, flanked by crisp scrolling carved decora...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
$1,462 Sale Price
20% Off
Three-Dimensional Midcentury Italian Wall Plaster Didactic Anatomical, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury three-dimensional didactic anatomical panel in plaster with Antonio Vallardi Milano label, Italy 1950s
Please note that the item is original of the period and t...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
$411 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Officer of the Watch Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Astronomical, Ross
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique officer of the watch telescope. An English, leather and nickel silver single draw refractor for terrestrial or astronomical use, by Ross of London, circa 1920.
...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Leather
Vintage Human Body Educational Model / Anatomical Model, circa 1940s
Located in Lucenec, SK
Fantastic looking vintage anatomical model of a full human body on a black granite base. The height of the model with base (4 cm) is 82 cm.
Unfortunately, removable parts are missing.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Granite
$1,065 Sale Price
28% Off
Antique Pluviometer, English, Udometer, Ombrometer, Rain Recorder, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pluviometer. An English, copper udometer, ombrometer or rain recorder, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
Fasc...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Vintage Drawing Instrument Set, German, Draughtsman
s Tools, Schcenner, C.1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage drawing instrument set. A German, nickel draughtsman's tool case by Schcenner, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1930.
Fine German instrument set in fold-out carry case
Displaying a desirable aged patina throughout
Silver nickel presents a lightly tarnished appearance, commensurate with age
Presented within a textured carry case with four fold design
8 pieces offering the essential tools for the travelling draughtsman
Comprises a pair of compass, two bow compass and ruling pen...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
George III Mahogany Barometer
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Mahogany wheel barometer with a swan-neck pediment, brass dial, thermometer, hygrometer, and level, with engraved details and age-consistent wear visible in the close-up images.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
18th Century Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Louis XVI–style giltwood barometer with a lyre-form crest, carved laurel and floral details, and an enameled circular dial marked with French weather indications. The frame shows app...
Category
18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
Antique Ross Telescope, English, 3 Draw, Terrestrial Refractor, Early 20th, 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Ross of London telescope. An English, brass three draw terrestrial refractor, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Bronze Wall Thermometer Attrib. to François Linke
Located in North Miami, FL
Original 19th Century wall mounted thermometer measuring in centigrade in the Louis XVI style. All bronze and very elegant thermometer attributed to François Linke. All weather m...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique Cast Metal Figural
Mechanical Robed Woman Dinner or Service Bell
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique dinner or service counter bell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Edwardian style. The bell features a cast metal robed female holding up and two piece plated bell. The bell functions by turning the knob at the top which spins back and forth. This sculptural bell stands...
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate, Steel
English Brass Telescope on Tripod Stand signed Dollond, London Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass telescope on tripod stand with slipper feet. Telescope has the original carrying case with lens covers. Late 19th Century
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Equal Arm Brass Scale with Weights
Located in Houston, TX
This equal arm brass scale is set on a wooden platform with brass weights. The wooden platform has circular cutouts for the weights This piece is functional and beautifully. The wood...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$1,100 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Cased Monocular, French, Field Viewing Scope, Optical Interest, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage cased monocular. A French, enamelled brass and leather viewing scope, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930.
Delightful field monocular, with 8 x 30 magnificat...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Iron Worker Hand Forged Vintage Tools Set of 9
Located in Chula Vista, CA
collection handmade Iron Blacksmithing Tools- Set of 9 Antique Iron Worker Tools
forging metal
circa early 1900s
tool total 9
25 the longest x 3...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Metal
Magnifier Accessories Gold Bronce Desktop Eagle Claw Base Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Brass adjustable desk magnifier
20th century
Elegant desktop magnifying glass made of golden brass, with original magnifying glass and very ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$573 Sale Price
31% Off
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
$229 Sale Price
20% Off
Sunshine Recorder by Casella of London
Located in London, GB
A Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder, attributed to Casella & Co, circa 1910.
Mounted on a later wooden display plinth.
Marked with serial number...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Atomic Physicist A.G. Shenstone Princeton Gyroscope
Located in Savannah, GA
A machined gyroscope presented to Allen G. Shenstone (1893-1980) physicist and chair of the department of Princeton from 1949-1960. Presented by friends in the department.
7 inches...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Brass
Polished Steel Telescope w/ Spotting Scope on Tripod Stand C 1850
By Bardou
Son
Located in Charleston, SC
French brass and polished steel telescope with removable lens cap, spotting scope, and mounted on folding tripod stand, 19th Century.
Signed on focal tube by prolific telescope make...
Category
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique Chemist
s Mortar
Pestle, French Bronze Apothecary Aid, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique chemist's mortar
pestle set. A French, bronze apothecary aid with beech and ceramic pestle, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Delightful Fre...
Category
Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Semi-Automatic Large Bakelite Grocery Scale, Czech Republic, 1930s
Located in Żory, PL
Old shop scale from the 1930s/1940s, manufactured in the Czech Republic by Zbrojovka Brno. Semi-automatic scale, with internal weights. The scale is set with stylish metal buttons. Adjustable legs and built-in spirit level. Original tray made of thick white glass. The scale has been cleaned and is in very nice vintage condition. In working condition, but not entirely precisely (+/- 100 grams), it probably requires minor adjustment. A beautiful and original item for the grocery store...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Didactic Flower Model German Manufacture of 1860 circa Made of Painted Plaster
Located in Milan, IT
Didactic flower, German manufacture of 1860 circa, depicting Marchantia Polymorpha L., made of painted plaster on a wooden base; the seed is removab...
Category
1860s German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Pair of Brass Field Binoculars by W. Watson &. Sons of London
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of wonderfully aged brass field binoculars with moveable brass eye shields, which help to give clearer views without additional light coming through the sides. This pair of bin...
Category
1910s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Large Brass Hourglass
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century large brass hourglass with white sand
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood
Brass Stand Model No 16
By Cram
s
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Crams Imperial World Globe
Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16
Manufactured by George F Cram Co. Indiana, U.S.A
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Apothecary Mortar
Pestle, English, Bronze, Chemist Shop Aid, Georgian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique apothecary mortar and pestle. An English, bronze chemist's shop aid, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1800.
Quality Georgian apothecary aid with superb finis...
Category
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Scientific tool for demonstrating the refraction of light, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Scientific tool for demonstrating and assessing the refraction of light. Constructed in boxed metal with a square section, it consists of a horizontal tube that bends a few grids in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Roman Bronze Rare Architects Geometrical Compass/Divider 3.AD
Located in Doha, QA
Extremely rare and one of a kind ancient Roman bronze geometrical compass/divider. It is in an excellent condition for its age. The Compass is displayed on a dark marble block with a...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Walter Bosse Cow Figurine Table Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming sculptural Austrian midcentury desk thermometer, displaying a cow with a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pair of Early 20th century French Brass Opera Glasses, 1900s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very beautiful French opera glasses in Mop and brass dating from the beginning of the 20th century.
Central wheel to approach or move away the view.
Flammarion brand stamp on the to...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique French Country Primitive Carved Marble Mortar and Pestle on Wood Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote.
Antique French Country Primitive Carved Marble Mortar and Pestle on Solid Wood Primit...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
Large 19th Century English Brass Scale with Weights and Bull Finial
Located in Atlanta, GA
This monumental 19th-century English brass scale presents a rare double-tiered configuration, combining technical function with sculptural elegance. Standing at 48 inches tall, the s...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
20th Century French Iron, Walnut Spotlight, Cinema Floor Spot Lamp by Clémançon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey-black, vintage Mid-Century Modern French spotlight made of handcrafted lacquered iron, designed and produced by Clémançon in good condition. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
Rare Antique 19th C Reuben Sutcliffe English Nickel Plated Hanging Balance Scale
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental 19th century English general store balance by Reuben Sutcliffe of Manchester. Made from Iron with a rich nickel plated finish. The company traded on Thomas Street, Manches...
Category
Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Oak cased weather station
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak-cased Weather station by James Brown Glasgow. with silvered dials comprising a clock set with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds dial, barometer, and central barograph over th...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Set of Vintage Mortise Gauges, Four, Rosewood, Brass, Carpenter
s Tools
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of vintage mortise gauges. 4 English, rosewood and brass carpenter's tools, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Fascinating midc...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Portable Sundial Signed “Dollond London” — Wood and Brass
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant 19th-century portable sundial, signed “Dollond London”, finely crafted in wood and brass.
The renowned Dollond family of London were among the most distinguished makers of sc...
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, SOMSO, Germany circa 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made out of polyvinyl chloride, plaster, glass and painted paper, metal ho...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Round-section brass telescope with mahogany-lined handle 1850
Located in Milan, IT
Round-section brass telescope with mahogany-lined handle, four-extension focus. English manufacture from the mid-19th century. Good condition signs of wear and tear, fully functional...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Victorian Mother of Pearl Folding Looking Glass
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely little looking glass that has a compact design. The glass part slides out. The case is Mother of Pearl with beautiful graining. It shimmers. The metal is likely some sort of...
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Cold War Japanese Defence Agency 20x 120 Binoculars with Illumination Control
By Kowa
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Tokyo Optical Company 20 x 120 Naval Binoculars official issue for the Japan Defence Agency, manufactured in October 1984, supplied via Yonei Shoten (government contractor), manufact...
Category
1980s Japanese Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze
Antique Teaching Aid Median Incision of the Human Head, Ca. 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted and hand lettered anatomical model. A median incision of the head for class. It is made of wood, papier maché and plaster, manufactured by SOMSO or PHYWE...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
English Renaissance Wood Hour Glass
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance-style (20th Century) large dark wood hour glass with brass finials.
Category
20th Century British Renaissance Revival Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Antique Microscope by W. Klein Wetzlar with Carl Zeiss optical lenses, Germany
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a rare antique Microscope manufactured by W. Klein in Wetzlar. The microscope features a solid brass body that has dev...
Category
Early 1900s German Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Mid 19th Century Mahogany Magnifying Glass
Located in Bishop
s Stortford, GB
A rare Large Victorian Magnifying or Looking Glass, Made from Mahogany Wood all in origianal condition.
Known as a gallery glass it allows gentle magnification of items from variable...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
$310 Sale Price
58% Off
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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Antique Magnetic Compass
Antique Monocular