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Scientific Instruments For Sale
19th Century articulated medical human skull
Located in London, GB
19th Century articulated medical human skull
Dimensions in inches: H 7.5” x W 8” x D 5.5”
Age: 1900
Origin: Unknown
Condition: Good
Overview
This example would have originally bee...
Category
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber
Antique Western Electric Tapered Shaft Candlestick Telephone C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Western Electric Tapered Shaft Candlestick Telephone C1920
Measures - 10.75"H x 6.25"W x 4.75"D
An antique Western Electric candlestic...
Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$280 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique English Brass Cased Compass Reg. No. For 1903
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased late Victorian or Edwardian compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a full hunter pocket watch.
The dial is lucky enough to ha...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Heath
Co Lacquered Brass Vernier Sextant 19th Century
By Heath
Co.
Located in London, GB
A rare cased lacquered brass vernier sextant by A Heath & Co of New Eltham London, dating from the late 19th Century.
With silvered scale, stamped mark and New Eltham, London, with ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Post War Japanese Opera Glasses With Mother of Pearl; in Orig. Carry Case C.1955
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very well precision made mid 20th century opera glasses manufactured in Japan (marked); they are still very operable today and working very well. Although categorized as "opera glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Antique Brass Telescope On Tripod Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The telescope has a selection of the lens that can be removed such that it fits into the case. There is a cover for the end glass. There is a tripod base with cylindrical column pe...
Category
19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Tacheometro model Soldati late 19th c. signed La Filotecnica Milano
Located in Milan, IT
Tacheometer model Soldati from the late 19th century signed La Filotecnica Ing. A Salmoiraghi Milan serial no. 18865.
Construction site surveying and tracking tool used for calculati...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Cold War Japanese Defence Agency 15x80 Binoculars with Illumination Control
By Kowa
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Japanese Type 65 Naval Binoculars (1984) by Kowa – With Full Illumination Controls
This outstanding set of Type 65 8cm twin-eye naval binoculars, manufactured by Kowa Co., Ltd. in Ap...
Category
1980s Japanese Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze
A Very Rare 19th Century Gadget Walking Cane with Brass Telescope
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare 19th Century well figured gadget walking cane with a hidden brass telescope. This exceptional item is stamped with the Manchester Reg...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Vintage WWII Telescope, English, Brass, Military Broad Arrow, Ottway
Co
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage WWII telescope, an English brass terrestrial instrument by Ottway & Co of London, dated 1945 and marked with the military broad arrow.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky.
A striking and substantial example of British wartime optical engineering
Crafted in brass, displaying bright golden tones throughout the draw tube and sun shade
Single draw tube design with smooth motion and pleasing tactile presence
Main barrel dressed in a later textured outer cover, adding visual distinction and grip
Engraved with 'Ottway & Co – London – 1945' to the main draw
Clearly marked with the military broad arrow and original serial number
Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display
Ideal for collectors of WWII memorabilia...
Category
1940s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Nickel Cased Compass Reg. No. For 1903 - WW1 Military Issue
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased World War One issued compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a full hunter pocket watch. The front is stamped with the war off...
Category
1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
Sputnik Space Age Table Weather Station, Relative Hygrometer, West Germany, 60s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Midcentury Modern Space Age Weather station made by Huger in the 60s, consisting of a thermometer, hygrometer and barometer made in West Germany the weather station is made of a chro...
Category
1960s German Space Age Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 16 Gallon Pegasus Mobil Oil/Grease Drum Barrel
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage 16 Gallon Pegasus MOBIL Oil/Grease Drum Barrel.
Vintage unrestored condition.
Dimensions: 27.63 H x 15 Diameter.
Delivery within 200 miles from...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French 19th Century Gilt
Painted Barometer
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous French 19th century painted and gold gilt barometer with thermometer. The elegantly carved giltwood surrounding the French gray-painted case is in a rococo and laurel leaf...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Gold
Torricellian barometer French manufacture from the second half of the 19th century
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer, French manufacture from the second half of the 19th century, made of mahogany veneer wood with cedar wood edge threading complete with rare thermomet...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th Century Indian Brass Qibla Compass
Located in Stamford, CT
19th Century Indian etched brass Qibla compass.
The compass with brass needle and glass cover, the reverse engraved with tables.
4.2 inches high 2.3 wide
A qibla (qiblah) compa...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1930s Educational Model Depicting the Belly of the Woman Immediately After Birth
Located in Milan, IT
Educational model depicting the belly of the woman immediately after birth with a part of the placenta. 1930's, sold by the Hygiene Museum in Dresden...
Category
1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Dentist Chair Type III, Series 3266 by J. Corno, Union Frimor, France, ca 1920
Located in Delft, NL
A dentist chair Type III, series 3266 by J. Corno, Union Frimor, France ca. 1920
The heavy chair has the color in a mahogany look with gold line. The chair has leather headrests a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Wood Geloso Television GT1014, 1950s, Italy
Located in Rome, IT
This GTV1014 was one of the first 21-inch b / w televisions produced by Geloso.
It uses the intercarrier system as an audio-video medium frequency. The chassis is mounted inside th...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Plastic, Wood
Antique Scholar
s Microscope, English, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scholar's microscope. An English, brass and enamelled metal scientific instrument by Henry Crouch, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Appealing micr...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass and Bakelite telescopic acoustic cornet England early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Telescopic acoustic cornet made of brass and Bakelite , English manufacture of the early 1900s.
The principle of its operation is based on the reflection of sound on the inner walls,...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Tabletop Press, English, Cast Iron, Rotary, Flower Pressing, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique tabletop press. An English, cast iron rotary flower pressing machine, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
Relive t...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Vintage Military Terrestrial Telescope, Canadian, Officer Of The Watch, CKC, WW2
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage military terrestrial telescope. A Canadian, chromed brass naval Officer of the Watch refractor by the Canadian Kodak Company, dating to the WWII period, circa 1940...
Category
Early 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Small Antique Opera Monocular, German, Brass, Leather, Viewing Scope, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique opera monocular. A German, brass and leather cased viewing scope, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Charming and petite, with a useful origina...
Category
20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Milan 1920/30 Antique Microscope by F.lli Koristka Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Milan, IT
Optical microscope signed F.lli Koristka Milano n. 42870 produced between 1920/30, of chromed and black painted brass, three-magnification turret, consisting of a stand and a plate w...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Pocket Poco by the Rochester Optical Co. Folding Camera c.1903
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The original Pocket Poco was manufactured by the Rochester Optical Co. from approximately 1893 to 1905. Designed as a small compact camera, the camera took 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 (qu...
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Antique Pair of 19th Century Brass Scales
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique brass scales standing on a mahogany base. A brass centre column having a shaped arm to the left holding a removable brass bowl. Th...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "La Roi, Paris" Ca. 1895
By Le Roi
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury French Opera Glasses with fancy lorgnette style handle and metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and only th...
Category
1890s French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
17th Century Dutch Bronze pharmacy Mortar, dated 1632
Located in Bilzen, BE
17th century Dutch bronze mortar, dated 1632 and with border text "lof God van al anno 1632".
Height 12.5 cm, Diameter 14 cm
Category
1630s Dutch Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
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
Art Deco Copper German Perpetual Desk Calendar c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original German perpetual desk calendar. Change the day of the week and date by pressing the Bakelite handle on the side. A knob in the back allows you to adjust the date t...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Copper
Antique 19th century pewter hourglass
Located in Bilzen, BE
A 19th century 4-column hourglass made entirely of pewter.
Height 17.5 cm, base 10 x 10 cm.
Category
19th Century German Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Pewter
Antique Carved Burr Walnut Banjo Barometer, circa 1880
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding carved burr walnut banjo Barometer having a lovely carved burr walnut case with a thermometer and a 12 inch round silver dial. Perfect workin...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Culinary Scale from Lyon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large kitchen / culinary scale made in Lyon, France, circa 1880. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and product...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage Laboratory Microscope, German, Scientific Instrument, Carl Zeiss Jena
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage laboratory microscope. A German, enamelled metal scientific instrument by Carl Zeiss Jena, dating to the late 20th century, circa ...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
1950s Olympic Tape Measure Peoples Republic of China
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Tricle Bakelite Olympic Tape Measure
made Peoples Republic of China
Cover made from dappled rich dark tricle bake-lite
includes gilt brass fittings and cloth tape.
5.25 dia...
Category
1950s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Engine Indicator, Scottish, Scientific Instrument, Dobbie McInnes, 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique mechanical engine indicator. A Scottish, brass scientific instrument by Dobbie-McInnes of Glasgow, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
Presenting a gr...
Category
1920s Scottish Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Rosewood Stanley No. 12 1/2 Veener Plane c.1904-1943
By Stanley
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Cabinet makers veneer scraper plane with Rosewood handles and bronze knobs.
CREATOR Stanley Tools Inc.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1904-1943.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Steel
English Brass Bankers Balance Scale from the 19th Century with Circular Pans
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English brass bankers balance scale from the 19th century. Born in England during the 19th century, this elegant brass bankers scale features a centra...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Master Craftsman
s Spirit Level, English, Brass, Desk, Victorian, 1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This an antique master craftsman's spirit level. An English, rosewood and brass ornamental desk tool, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Doctors Standing Scale with Sliding Weights
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful antique FAIRBANKS Industrial stand up doctors' scale. It has a height indicator and a movable weights made in solid brass. This is all original and still shows th...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
XIX Century English Mahogany Apothecary Set Cabinet Medicines J Hexam Chymist
Located in Milan, IT
English apothecary cabinet dated to the first half of the nineteenth century, mahogany box, brass handle and hinges and complete with key. The cabinet with a rectangular base is form...
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
ZEISS Ikon Novar-Anastigmat 45mm F3.5 Film Camera 1950s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Zeiss Ikon Contina Camera with Novar-Anastigmat 45mm F3.5 Prontor SVS.
Zeiss Ikon Contina 35mm RF style camera with a 45mm f/3.5 Novar-Anastigmat prime lens.
Cosmetically in great co...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Olivetti Lettera 36 Portable Typewriter Designed by Ettore Sottsass. circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Olivetti Lettera 36 Portable Typewriter with the Original Case. circa early 1970s
Created by famed Italian designer/architect Ettore Sottsass...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique World Globe From Fleet Street London 1923 on Wooden Stand
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique Terrestrial Geographia of Fleet Street London 12"inch World Globe on handcrafted Wooden Three Legged Base 1923
Made 55 Fleet Street, London
Beautiful desktop globe, showcas...
Category
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest
By Carl Zeiss
Located in Delft, NL
Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest, Germany
Zeiss 8x56B T*P* Black Forest Edition binocular, model number 525661
Made of shock-absorbing, non-slip and ru...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
A botanic model Brendel, Germany 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Conium maculatum N.60 (Umbelliferae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the flower of the Hemlock. Brende...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Vintage Table Phone in Boulle Style - Wood and Brass
Located in Cantù, IT
Elegant vintage Boulle-style desk telephone with fine brass details and decorative inlays on a tortoiseshell effect background. The square body made of fine wood is embellished with ...
Category
20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer.
Clean vintage condition. Measures 8.5" in width, 33" in height and 2.25" in depth.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
$1,331 Sale Price
25% Off
Mechanical solar system with Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon and Mars 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Tellurium or representative and demonstrative mechanical model of the solar system composed of the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon and Mars, realized by the Prague geographer and ...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1920s 35 Zeiss-Ikon 35 Cm Cinema Projector
By Zeiss Ikon
Located in London, GB
A late 1920s 35 mm Zeiss-Ikon cinema projector.
Lens: Neokino 52.5/110 by Emil Busch A.-G. Rathenow.
Original black paint.
Lamp house contain...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
Planispheric Astrolabe – Equinoctial Dial, late 16th–early 17th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Origin: Probably Southern Germany (Nuremberg or Augsburg) or the Flemish region (Louvain or Antwerp).
Date: circa 1580–1620
Material: finely engraved brass
Diameter: 9 cm
A beautifu...
Category
16th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
"Kodak Special Model A" Sealskin Folding Camera c.1915-1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The body of the Kodak Special, Model A incorporates several unusual design features. The most immediately obvious of these is the Bakelite panel on either side of the lens a...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
$150 Sale Price
33% Off
Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere, Charles-François Delamarche, Paris, ante 1798
Located in Milano, IT
Ptolemaic armillary sphere
Charles-François Delamarche
Paris, ante 1798
Wood and papier-mâché
covered with printed and partly hand-colored paper
It measures 15.55 in in height x Ø 10...
Category
1790s French Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
Vintage Anatomical Model, Man and Woman, 80s 90s Curiosity
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional Human Anatomy Model from the 80s, 90s.
Male and Female Figures on a black stand.
The outer casting, such as the individual intestines a...
Category
20th Century Unknown Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Italian antique mechanical tellurium in brass and cast iron, mid 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique mechanical tellurium in brass and cast iron, mid 1800s
Mechanical tellurium made of brass and cast iron. This scientific instrument ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
PRELUDE - Vintage Compact Binoculars/Opera Glasses - Japan - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
PRELUDE - Vintage travel size folding binoculars for bird watching or the opera - 3 x 25 m/m magnification - adjustable focus - Japan - mid 20th century.
Excellent vintage condition...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern 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
$162 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by Beringer
By David Beringer
Located in Bilzen, BE
Antique 18th Century Diptych Sundial and Compass a portable wooden sundial with compass, of German origin, by David Beringer, Nuremberg, dating back to the 1780 circa, in good age re...
Category
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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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