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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Brass Harbormaster 0905 Telescope on Tripod Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Brass 0905 Harbormaster 48" Telescope on Tripod Stand. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 60" H x 48" W x 32" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century.
Category

20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Antique Henry Troemner 5lb Wood Pharmacy Apothecary Weight Balance Scale
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian mechanical apothecary or pharmacy balance scale with wood construction featuring Eastlake styling. Includes two cast iron 1 kilo wei...
Category

Late 19th Century Eastlake Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

19th Century Dental Tool Kit
Located in London, GB
19th century dental tool kit A rare set of 19th century dental tool kit, all tools are encased in a wooden box with brass latch and lined with a worn red...
Category

19th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Large 1960's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Ear Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
Large 1960's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Ear Model. Manufactured by the Nystrom Co. of Chicago, Illinois. Large 17" scale and great patina!
Category

1960s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rubber, Wood

Large 1950s Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Educational Eye Eyeball Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
1950's Vintage scientific human 3d eyeball model. Hand-painted with wonderful original patina!
Category

1950s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rubber

Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Davis of London, Victorian, 1860
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3 draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor by Davis of London, dating to the mid Victorian period, cir...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Lucite Hourglass Sand Timer Sculpture After Charles Hollis Jones 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury hourglass in bubble lucite with straight external lines. This fantastic item was produced in Italy during the 1970s in the manner of Charles Hollis Jones. The 15-minute sand timer...
Category

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

Materials

Lucite

19th Century Grand Tour Antique Handmade Bronze Mortar with Pestle
Located in Roma, IT
19th-century grand tour antique handmade bronze mortar with pestle. This fantastic piece has an original patina. The pestle is 9.05 inc high wit...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Grand Tour Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Estate American Surveyor's Transit Level in Original Fitted Oak Box, 1930s-1940s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate American surveyor's transit level in original fitted oak box and signed "BOSTROM- BRODY mf6, Atlanta GA.", circa 1930-1940s. Model #4, Serial #47....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Vintage Taper Maker, English, Brass, Shipwright's Woodworking Tool, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage taper maker. An English, brass shipwright's woodworking tool, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950. Midcentury crafting to...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Large Vintage Pantagraph, English, Brass, Scientific Mapping Instrument
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage pantagraph. An English, brass scientific mapping instrument, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950. Fascinating scale and mechanical interest Displays a...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Opera Glasses, Binoculars by G.Rodenstock
Located in Miami, FL
Opera glasses, binoculars by G. Rodenstock.
Category

Late 20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

Beautiful Glass Apothecary Jar - price per piece
Located in Brussels, BE
Cut-glass top and blown glass jar beautiful quality. Multiple available
Category

20th Century European Scientific Instruments

Materials

Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a lovely cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in th...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Vintage Electric Company Meter Lamp
Located in Hanover, MA
This is a wonderful piece of suburban folk art and mid-century Americana. It is a vintage 'bench made' table lamp incorporating an actual working electric company meter. When the l...
Category

1920s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th c. Optometrist Eye Testing Kit c.1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original Victorian optometrist eye testing kit. The interior of the kit is lined in velvet with the name and number of the lenses. The optical tes...
Category

19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Silver

19th Century Artist Pigment Painting Tray, Colourmans Sales Sampler
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A collection of thirty red and white cylindrical card boxes of pigment with decorative descriptive labels. Each container sits within its own section of a well made pine tray. Origin...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber, Pine

19th Century Antique Hardwood Inlaid Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
This is a 19th century antique hardwood inlaid banjo barometer with a thermometer and a 10' silvered dial, brass bezel with convex glass. It is a very...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Hardwood

Machine Age Ribbonaire Fan Designed by W.O. Langille for Singer, 1931
By W. O. Langille, Singer Sewing Machine Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ribbonaire Bakelite Electric Fan designed by W.O. Langille in 1931 for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Aerodynamic Design that pivots front to back to angle the breeze. Unique des...
Category

1930s American Machine Age Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fabric, Bakelite

Supreme x Hoto Red Tool Set, 5-Piece, Spring, 2023
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Supreme x hoto red tool set, 5-piece, Spring 2023. Made exclusively for Supreme (Spring 2023), limited edition. Red, Supreme-printed case. Includes 3.6V 3-level torque adjustable scr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

19th Century Medical Science Research Artifact
Located in London, GB
19th Century Medical Science Research Artifact A fine example of 19th Century medical science research artifact, in three sections and not hinged. A...
Category

1850s Unknown Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber

German Art Deco Desk Top Barometer and Weather Station
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
German Art Deco desk top barometer and weather station. German desktop barometer, thermometer and hydrometer. This station is unsigned and made...
Category

20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Italy 1939s Sketch Futurist Poster "Day of Two Crosses" Against Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of the futurist poster "Day of two crosses, 16th April 1939, XVII", mixed technique of pastel and water-color, for an Italian campaign against tuberculosis, to inform people a...
Category

1930s Italian Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Brass Framed Monumental Sized Magnifying Glass with Natural Horn Handle
Located in Savannah, GA
This monumental sized horn handled magnifying glass with brass framework and stem, is of heavy weight and fine quality. The horn is quite substantial and supports this very large gla...
Category

Early 1900s German Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

c.1800 Portable English Orrery by W. Robinson
Located in Greenlawn, NY
c.1800 Portable English Orrery by W. Robinson The circular base is covered with a brightly decorated polychrome paper that shows the astrological houses, the months, visual displays...
Category

Early 1800s English Other Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

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 different in the old days and...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Modernist Hourglass, 1990's
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Modernist hourglass, 1990's.
Category

20th Century Unknown Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

John Bennett Georgian Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Georgian barometer by the leading London instrument-maker John Bennett strongly reflects the prevalent furniture style and archite...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Chatillons Brass Spring Balance 120lb Industrial Farm Scale New York
Located in Dayton, OH
"John Chatillon & Sons late 19th century 120 pound spring balance. Features a brass engraved plate along the front with makers mark and metal backing. The scale hangs via a thick iron ring at the top and measures at the bottom with a hook for objects. John Chatillon and Sons was a New York manufacturer of scales. The company was established in 1835 and operated until being sold to Ametek in 1997. Chatillon is an Ametek trade name. Products included springs, counter scales...
Category

Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Thermometer by Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern-Period, sterling silver thermometer in working condition, Tiffany and Company, New York, circa 1950s. Works are made by...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver

Antique Aluminum Teaching Dental Phantom Head Skull on Stand Gold Tooth 1920's
Located in Portland, OR
Antique aluminum dental phantom teaching head model with a gold tooth, 1920's. A wonderful fun sculptural dental phantom, the aluminum head with lower...
Category

1920s German Brutalist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Gold, Steel

Struttura atomica didattica dell'acido carbonico (H2CO3) produzione Ceca 1950
Located in Milan, IT
Struttura atomica ad uso didattico dell'acido carbonico (H2CO3) in metallo, sfere in bachelite verniciate rosso e nero. Manifattura cecoslovacca degli anni cinquanta. Buono stato, m...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

20th Century Rotary Bakelite Telephone c.1930
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb and rare early 20th Century rotary Bakelite telephone. The phone features the original cord connecting handset to reciever and a small drawer at the front revealing a pad fo...
Category

1930s British Other Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

Astro tripod mounted telescope by Dollond of London
Located in London, GB
A mid 20th century tripod mounted "Astro" telescope by Dollond of London. 3 inch objective lens. Mounted on a teak tripod. Marked: DOLLOND ASTRO LONDON Chrome and grey finish. I...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

Rare 1800s Andrews’ Lunar Tellurian
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a rare Weber Costello Scientific Globe Tellurian that dates to around 1880. This is a handsome globe made by, "Weber Costello Co. Chicago Heights, Illinois." The globe sits o...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Berkel Scales
Located in Roma, IT
Libra from Holland in good condition all original no parts missing or repaired
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak 1910s Belgium High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design wit...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

18th Century Medical Syringe
Located in London, GB
18th Century Medical Syringe For historical medical use and dating from the 18th century, and certainly from the beginning of the 18th century. This hand-crafted example is made to...
Category

1780s Unknown Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber

Fairbanks Scale Co American Doctors Scale
Located in Cheshire, GB
Fairbanks doctors scale in black with brass adjustable measuring stick, and cast iron pressure plate. Retaining there original weights. Dimensions: Heig...
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Rudder-shaped aneroid barometer with 8 brass ankles from the 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Barometer turned wooden aneroid in the shape of a rudder with 8 turned brass ankles. West Germany manufacture for the British market 1950s. Bon état. Working order. Diameter cm 2...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

1930s English aneroid barometer made of turned wood, brass and glass
Located in Milan, IT
1930s English aneroid barometer made of turned wood, brass, and glass. Bon état. Working order. Diameter cm 15.5 - inches 6.2, thickness cm 5.5 - inches 2.2. This is an ancient me...
Category

1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Chrome-plated brass and leather telescope signed W. OTTWAY from the first war 1915
Located in Milan, IT
Chrome-plated brass and leather telescope signed W. OTTWAY & Co Ltd Ealing London A49 in use by British Army officers during World War I. Single-length focus, focal diameter cm 3...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1970's Vintage Olivetti Lettera 35 Typewriter
Located in San Carlos, CA
Beautiful vintage 1970's Olivetti Lettera 35 typewriter, made in Italy. This typewriter comes with a very cool vintage Olivetti shoulder bag. This typewriter is in very good cosmeti...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Wood Flower Mold Two Hole
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Wood Flower Mold Two Hole 8.25 w x 3 d x 1.75 Original vintage condition unrestored See all images provided.
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Vintage Polaroid SX-70 Tan Land Camera by Henry Dreyfuss
Located in Wallkill, NY
A very nice Polaroid SX - 70 camera, developed by Edwin Land and Richard Wareham, designed by Henry Dreyfuss Associates. This was state of the art and re...
Category

1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stainless Steel

Terrestrial globe, Italy 1940.
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe, physical and political, in paper mache on a round metal base. Cartographic design G. Pugno, lithographic typography C. Brandoni. Italian globe laboratory, Turin, I...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Terrestrial globe published by Ernst Schotte & co, Germany 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe in watercolored paper, fixed with an inclined axis through a small brass arm, mounted on a black turned fruit wood base. Published by Ernst Schotte & Co. Berlin, Ge...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Iron Balance - Antique Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French intricate brass balance with different weights in solid brass, in good condition. The iron scale is topped with the original polished brass plates. The scale reads ...
Category

19th Century French Mid-Century Modern Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

Large 1920's Globe on Wood Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Vintage Globe on Wood Base, circa 1920's Decorate an office or a desk with this beautifully preserved antique globe. Crafted in Europe, circa 1920's this piece is mounted on a...
Category

1920s European Biedermeier Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Edmé Beauchêne disarticulated human skull with museum provenance, France
Located in Leuven , BE
Edmé François Chauvot de Beauchêne (1780, Île-de-France – 1830, Paris), was a French physician, surgeon and anatomist. He was Chief of l'hopital Saint-Antoine Paris, the Deputy Chief...
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Bronze mortar, Veneto, 16th century
Located in Brescia, IT
Bronze mortar, Veneto, 16th century Lost-wax cast bronze mortar with body outlined by parallel and succeeding frames delineating its circumference. On the two faces, in a central p...
Category

16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Spectacular Memento Mori Vanitas from the 19th Century - Italy
Located in Madrid, ES
This striking Memento Mori Vanitas serves as a captivating reflection piece from the 19th century Italy, presenting a profound contemplation on the fleeting nature of life and the fu...
Category

1880s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Rope Twist Carved Oak Nautical Barometer
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century barometer with porcelain face with merchants name A Black & Co., Nautical Optician, Glasgow. Carved rope twist case with brass bezel. Brass hanging tab. Nice ...
Category

1930s European Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

French Restauration Period Cast Brass Double Scale & Weights, ca. 1825
Located in Atlanta, GA
In complete and original condition and retaining bright patina this set of scales has a main scale and a smaller upper scale, both supported by dolphin forms hanging on a reeded stan...
Category

1820s French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

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, 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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