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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Brass round-section ground astronomical telescope France circa 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Astronomical round-section brass ground astronomical telescope with single-elongation focusing and rack and pinion, with researcher viewfinder, complete with oak rack stand and orig...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English WW1 Military Issued Compass - 1917
Located in Bath, GB
A good nickel plated WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass engraved on the lid with the war office crow's foot mark and dated 1917
The hunter cased pocket compass has an attr...
Category
1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
Pair WW1 Binoculars and Case, British Officer's Issue - A Tubeuf, Paris
Located in Bath, GB
The binoculars are clad in a lovely embossed leather remaining in excellent condition, now over 100 years old and a true antique. They have integral sun shades. When closed up they ...
Category
1910s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Brass Scientific Pharmacy Apothecary Pan Balance Scale 19"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique set of scales featuring a rectangular wood base, brass hardware and pans.
Dimensions:
18.75" x 8.75" x 17" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique EH Sargent Labratory Precision Orsat Gas Analyzer Apparatus Case 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th - early 20th century Orsat gas analyzer apparatus with absorption pipettes and hardwood case, produced by E.H. Sargent & Company.
An Orsat gas analyser or Orsat apparatus ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Rubber, Hardwood
Torricellian mahogany barometer signed Davis 65 Bold St. Liverpool 1839/1841
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer in mahogany wood, signed Davis 65 Bold St. Liverpool active at this address from 1839 to 1841, complete with reading nonius for checking pressure varia...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
IBM computer mod.5160 prod.1983
By IBM
Located in Taranto, IT
IBM computer mod.5160 prod.1983
Computer from the historic IBM model 5160, production year dj 1983.
Present within the General Catalogue of Cultural Heritage and at the Home Comp...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1, Circa 1890s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1—Circa 1890s
This Henry Troemner balance scale #1 is a remarkable antique cast iron scale, likely manufactured between th...
Category
Late 19th Century American High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron
Antique Transit Theodolite, English, Surveying Instrument, Thornton, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique transit theodolite. An English, bronze and brass surveying instrument by AG Thornton of Manchester, dating to the Edwardian perio...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique Toledo 8400A American Art Deco Green Enameled Porcelain Penny Coin Scale
By Toledo Scale Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Toledo Scale Company Model 8400A. Features an enameled green porcelain finish and tiled station. Features the iconic Art Deco Skyscraper design with a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Extraordinary 19th Century Aquarium
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
19th Century Aquarium. A fine example of a 19th century Aquarium, on a elaborately Cast Iron Pedestal base, below a thick slate base with iron columns and glass windows. To taps to t...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Slate, Iron
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
Antique English Field Glasses / Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo - With Compass
Located in Bath, GB
A superb and very handsome pair of the unusual and sought-after "Lynx" binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo, dating to c.1900. These English pocket sized Field glasses or binoculars are m...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Set of 2 Brass Furniture Leg Embellisher, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of two brass decorative embellishers imitating feline paws. Designed by unknown manufacturer, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category
1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Set of 9 Antique Brass Scale Weights in Wood Block Apothecary 1920s
Located in Dayton, OH
1920's brass apothecary scale weight set including nine weights (one 50 gram, three 100 grams, one 200 grams, one 500 grams, one 1 kilo, and one 2 ki...
Category
1920s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Antique GE General Electric Oscillating Industrial Desk Fan Works 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Large antique 1915 2-Star / Loop handle desk fan by General Electric. Black painted steel housing with four brass blades / wings and cage with serpentine bars. Three speed; oscillati...
Category
1910s Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique Real Chinese Abacus
Located in Somis, CA
This is an authentic, original Chinese abacus that was actually used in the early 20th century. The abacus, an ingenious calculator, has been a vital tool in China for over a thousan...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors
Located in Chicago, IL
In the 19th century, parabolic reflectors such as these were employed in scientific experiments to study the behavior of light, heat, and sound. These brass parabolic mirrors, when p...
Category
19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Schaeffer & Budenberg Stationary Steam Engine Model w Copper Boiler
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Schaeffer & Budenberg stationary steam engine model. Made of cast iron featuring copper boiler
The Budenberg Gauge Company was founded in 1918. The original pa...
Category
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Copper
Antique English Brass Cased Folding Magnifying Glass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely shaped little folding / pocket magnifying glass which folds into a shaped brass case, marked "Made In England".
Dating to c.1920, remaining in excellent condition measuring...
Category
1920s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Siebe Gorman Fire Fighter Smoke Mask
By Siebe Gorman & Co.
Located in Stockholm, SE
This is an early Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd. smoke mask. These full face helmets are very rare and found mostly in museum collections. This example looks and feels like it´s never have ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Solid Brass Plumb Bob with Twine c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Solid brass plumb bob.
CREATOR Gammon Reel Co.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Solid Brass, Plastic.
CONDITION Good. Wear consisten...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Folding Brass Linen Thread Counter c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
Dating to the early twentieth century, c.1900/1920, this is an antique cast brass linen thread counter, of course usable to magnify whatever you wish.
Heavy solid cast brass with a ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Pair of Cased Binoculars, English, Brass, Optical Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pair of cased binoculars. An English, enamel brass optical instrument, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900.
Appealing weathering and presented in an attrac...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Fine Pair Antique Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by LeMaire, Paris c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A very fine pair of Edwardian opera glasses made from Mother of Pearl and the polished brass; made by the creme de la creme of makers, LeMaire of Paris.
Both Mother of Pearl eye pie...
Category
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Extra Large Antique Mounted Magic Lantern Condensing / Magnifying / Optical Lens
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful early 20th century magic lantern lens.
It does not matter what the reason is why you like the look and feel or the history of these special lenses. Your fascination could ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Mahogany Cased Compass by Stanley, London
By Stanley & Co., London 1
Located in Bath, GB
A very handsome Victorian military explorer's compass dating to around 1840 / 1860 set in a hinged mahogany block measuring 2" square.
The compass has a shapely blued-steel needle (...
Category
1850s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
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
Antique Cased Octant, Scottish, Ebony, Navigation Instrument, Sextant, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased octant. A Scottish, ebony navigational instrument, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1850.
Appealing navigation ins...
Category
1850s British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ebony, Walnut
19th Century French Iron Balance - Antique Small Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, 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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century French Barometer
Located in Charlottesville, VA
This elegant 19th-century French barometer is a beautifully crafted antique weather instrument housed in an octagonal giltwood frame. The a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
French Barometer Gilt Wood Verre Eglomise
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Giltwood and Verre Eglomise Barometer. The barometer frame is richly decorated with bouquets of flowers, vine branches, shells and palm leaves. The Eglomisé Dial ...
Category
19th Century French Charles X Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stucco, Giltwood
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
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
Late 19th Century Terrestrial Globe, French
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
By Charles Delagrave, Paris. On eb...
Category
1890s French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Iron Germany Early 1700s Hourglass
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
The hourglass cage displays hexago...
Category
Early 18th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Antique Early 19th Century Silver Wine Hydrometer in Original Turned Wood Case
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Antique cased silver hydrometer, likely English and dating to the early 19th century. This finely crafted instrument was designed to determine the density of liquids with precision, ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Biedermeier Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
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
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
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
Antique Trade Scale Brass and Painted Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France. It was a scale used by traders for retail.
Brass and painted cast-iron
Patina and signs of use which make this antique o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century.
Category
20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Antique maritime navy compass
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Antique maritime navy compass in very nice original condition.
Category
19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1800s Trepanning Head Clamp
Located in Peekskill, NY
Trepanning, also known as trepanation, trephination, trephining or making a burr hole (the verb trepan derives via Old French via Medieval Latin from the Greek noun of relevant meani...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Set of Four Petite Glass Chinese Medicine Bottles
Located in Chicago, IL
A set of four petite medicine vials of hand-blown glass from an early 20th-century Chinese apothecary, likely originally used to store liquid opium known as chandu.
Additional Dime...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scientific Instruments
Materials
Blown Glass
19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Atribb. A.L. Vago London, C.1870
By Vago
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Attributed to A.L. Vago London. C 1870
This diminutive plaster Phrenology head, attributed to A.L. Vago London circa 1870, stands as a f...
Category
19th Century English High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Antique Root Bowl, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A unique and large root bowl from Norway, Scandinavia, dated 1818. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use.
Category
19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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 Terrestrial Globe Published in 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas, Paris
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe published in the 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas 17, Rue de Buci Paris. Turned wooden base, papier mâché sphere covered with paper printed by engraving on copper ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Antique German Barometer with Hand-Carved Oak Leaves and Acorns, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
German Black Forest style barometer with fine hand-carved oak branches, leaves, and acorns.
Dimensions: height 30 cm / 11.81 in; width 24 cm / 9.44 in; depth 5 cm / 1.96 in.
In good ...
Category
1920s German Black Forest Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Early 20th-Century English Sovereign Balance Scale by Harrison
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 20th-century English sovereign balance scale, marked “Harrison”, was designed to verify the weight and authenticity of full and half sovereign gold coins. A finely crafted piece of precision engineering, it features a brass balance arm with two coin slots labeled “Sovereign Warranted” and “Sovereign ½”, ensuring accurate weight measurement. The base, also inscribed with “Harrison” and adorned with a crowned hallmark, reflects its quality craftsmanship.
These compact, mechanical scales were widely used by bankers, jewelers, and traders during the early 1900s to prevent fraud and counterfeit currency circulation. Their simple yet effective design remains a testament to the ingenuity of the time.
A rare and collectible piece of British numismatic history, this scale is perfect for collectors of antique measuring...
Category
20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Wooden English Barometer Antique Forecast Weather Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden barometer measuring instrument English manufacture made in the mid 19th century, silver-plated brass dial engraved with meteorological indicati...
Category
1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Large Mid-Century Italian Giorgio Armani Eye Glasses Factice Shop Display Piece
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a rare and unique item! The Armani Eyeglasses Factic for display in a shop comes with its original cardboard packaging and is made of metal a...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Early Eye Glass Trade Stimulator - Test Your Own Eyes Optometer
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early eyeglass trade stimulator... TEST YOUR OWN EYES. Its an Optometer that has a dial on the right of the device. Turn the dial and there is a double geared carousel wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Antique 19th C. W & A K Johnston 18" Celestial Library Floor Globe Stand 1879
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Celestial floor globe on stand by W. & A.K. Johnston, 1879.
Representation of stars and constellations as they would appear on a...
Category
1870s Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Pocket Field Microscope, English, Brass, Instrument, Edwardian, C.1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scientist's field microscope. An English, brass, pocket instrument, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Appealing brass ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Chromed Brass, Terrestrial, Astro, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 2 draw telescope. An English, chromed brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display.
Of generous proportion when fully drawn, and neatly stowed in its own case
Displaying a desirable aged patina, some light marks commensurate with use
Leather covered primary barrel tanned in dark green with some light colour wear
Polished draw tubes show bright silvered tones, lightly marked from gentle use
Presenting a clear optical performance, with a 34mm (1.25") primary objective lens
Lift-off dust cap to the objective, the flared eye cup...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique 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.