Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Seven Large Mid 20th Century German Brown Amber Glass Apothecary Jars with Lid
Located in Haarlem, NL
A decorative collection of seven extra large German 1930s-1940s apothecary jars in blown and pressed amber glass with pressed and blown glass lids.
Once used for chemistry and pharmaceutical stuff, now very pretty as decoration set.
Not jet antique...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Blown Glass
Antique "Le Jockey Club" 1930's Horse Racing Binoculars with Compass
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French silvered brass and brown leather Horse Racing binoculars stamped "Le Jockey Club Paris" presented in their original brown leather case. ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Kodak No. S Model E Folding Camera c.1900 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The body is wrapped in leather with red bellows. Chrome, brass and leather accents on the lens. The camera may or may not work but is sold as a decorative object.
Shown with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Tellurium mechanical/electrical model of the solar system Phiwe Italian 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Tellurium, i.e., mechanical/electrical model representative of the solar system, made of metal with green and gray hammered paint, lithographed tin globe, plastic Moon, and metal bas...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Aneroid wall barometer in carved wood brass and glass late 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Wall-mounted aneroid barometer made of carved wood, brass, and glass, an instrument whose pressure-sensitive organ is a metal box called a barometric capsule.
English manufacture of...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Dutch Opera glasses by J.M.Schmidt, Amsterdam, ca 1890
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch Opera glasses by J.M.Schmidt, Amsterdam, ca 1890
Mother of pearl Opera glasses with brass adjustable in degrees and length for visibility. The name and address of the optician...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A land surveying square, France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Octagonal brass land surveying square. Each side has a slot, which allows to aim the distance and evaluate 90 and 45 degrees when measuring the field. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass barometric altimeter signed J. Hicks Maker London from the early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Brass compensated barometric altimeter complete with magnifying glass signed J. Hicks Maker London from the early 1900s. Diameter cm 7 - inches 2.8, thickness cm 3.2 - inches 1.3. Bu...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Anatomical model: a human skull model life size, Stuttgard, Germany 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Human skull anatomical model life size 1:1 Model with cranial sutures detachable 2 parts plus three cervical vertebrae for medical educational aid. The skull and vertebrae are made o...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Antique Brass Ashtray Advertising a Philadelphia Dealer in Artificial Human Eyes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An odd obscura collectible in the form of a rare, antique brass advertising ashtray.
The ashtray is engraved with "H.E. Baldwin - Philadelphia / A...
Category
19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Eastman Kodak "No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie" Camera c.1909
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original "No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie" camera with leather wrapped body, brass and chrome accents. Autographic film window in back with iron stylus for writing notes dir...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Antique English Field Glasses / Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo - With Compass
By Lawrence and Mayo
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
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Swingline XI Electro-Pointer
Located in Sharon, CT
Important Machine Age Streamlined Electric Pencil Sharpener Designed by Edward G. Hoffmann.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Machine Age Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
Antique Cast Iron & Lacquered Brass Max Kohl Type Didactic Balance Device
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th / 20th century didactic balance device, probably made for use in a physics laboratory or classroom. In the Style of Max Kohl (1853-1908), all in lacquered brass, a semi-circular...
Category
Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Set of Cast Iron and Glass Rings c.1940 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A set of three cast iron rings with smaller rings on top. Convex glass on both sides in each piece.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1960.
MATERIALS AN...
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Anatomical model: an external and inner ear, Germany early 20th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for class, depicting an external and inner ear, made out of painted papier plaster, mounted on a black painted plaster rectangular base. Sold from Paravia, Italy, to...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Alnmått (Cubit measure) in iron with gilded details. Baroque, dated 1731
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Alnmått (Cubit measure) in iron with gilded details. Baroque, dated 1731. Provenance: Baron Carl Emanuel Cederström, great collector during the mid-19th Century in Sweden.
W...
Category
1730s Swedish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Carved Wooden G.Tart Liege Antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s
By Black Forest
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden G Tart Liege antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s
Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order.
With best Wishes, Geert...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Vest Pocket Hawkeye Folding Camera c.1924-1935
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The Vest Pocket Hawkeye Model B folding camera with a leather wrapped body and chrome accents.
Shown with life size hand.
CREATOR Eastman Kodak Co.
DATE OF MANUFACTU...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Antique "No. 1A Kodak Junior" Folding Camera c.1914-1927 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The body of camera is leather wrapped with a leather handle and brass and chrome accents. It folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches. Solid brass "Marshall Field and Company" t...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Measuring Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Measuring stand in wood
France, circa 1900
Dimensions: 20W x 20D x 95H
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Large Antique Dolland & Co 1890 Brass Telescope with Mahogany box with accessori
By Dolland
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Large Antique Dolland & Co 1890 Brass Telescope with Mahogany box with accessories. This amazing historic telescope dating back to 1890 with original labelled case has all working ac...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
18th Century Louis XVI-Style Barometer in Gilded Wood adorned with Doves
Located in NICE, FR
We present you this exceptionally rare square-shaped Louis XVI-style barometer from the 18th century, crafted from gilded wood. Its pale blue wallpaper background is protected by co...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
An amazing antique set of 50 glass prosthetic eyes, Germany early 20th century.
Located in Milan, IT
An amazing antique set of 50 glass prosthetic eyes. Maximum quality and refined details with a great variability of models. In their original, wooden case, lined with black grained l...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Art Deco Kodak Vigilante Junior Six-20 Folding Camera c.1940-1948
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An Art Deco Kodak Vigilante Junior Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Folds neatly to 1.5 inches.
Shown with life siz...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Antique Canada Post Office Balance Scale with Cast Metal Base and Brass Accents
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique postal scale is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Canada and date to approximately 1952 and done in the Late Victorian ...
Category
Late 19th Century Canadian Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
"Kodak Special Model A" Sealskin Folding Camera c.1915-1920 (FREE SHIPPING)
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
Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A ubiquitous classic in the home or the market, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weig...
Category
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique "No. 1A Kodak Junior" Folding Camera c.1914-1927 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The body of camera is leather wrapped with a leather handle and brass and chrome accents. It folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches.
Sold for decorative purposes only. May or...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
1960’s plaster anatomical model of dogs brain, Phywe Germany
Located in Hoogeveen, NL
Rare old anatomical plaster model of the dog's brain. Beautiful details on a plastic/bakelite base. Worn (small cracks, base repare) but still in good condition as shown in the image...
Category
1960s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite, Plaster
Antique "No. 3 Folding Pocket Kodak, Model AB" Camera c.1900 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The Kodak No.3 Model AB is an early model. The body of camera is all leather with a leather handle and unique leather covered lens. it folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera c.1937-1939 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome and black accents and flip out view finder.
Shown with life size hand. Sold as decorative o...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Louis Xvi Style Carved Wood Paint and Parcel Gilt Barometer
Located in Nashville, TN
A pretty and highly decorative barometer of banjo form, marked ‘Palladio’ and Italy . Hand carved with leaves , ropes , fruit and flutes .
The case probably having distressed fini...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XVI Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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 two sections and not hinged. A d...
Category
1850s Unknown Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber
Antique Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1900
By Somso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1900
A folding model of an ear. It was used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1900. It is made of wood and paper mache by ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Antique Trade Scale Brass and 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 Cast-Iron
Patina and signs of use which make this antique object ver...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Shibayama Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by Lemaire
Located in London, GB
A superb and incredibly rare pair of gilt bronze and mother of pearl Shibayama opera glasses by Lemaire in its original leather carry case. The beautiful mother of pearl case...
Category
1880s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Eastman Kodak "No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie" Camera c.1909
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original "No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie" camera with leather wrapped body, brass and chrome accents. Autographic film window in back with iron stylus for writing notes dir...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Pair of Neoclassical Apothecary Jars by Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux
By Old Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Neoclassical Apothecary Jars by Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux
France, Circa 1870s
Signed : Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux a Collin paris 90 Rue de Rivoli
W...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Pan Am Pan American World Airways Advertising Wall Barometer, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A round and large mid-century wall-mounted barometer / weather station from the airline PAA Pan American World Airways. Dated around the 1960s. A high-quality product, made in Western Germany...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Plaster paper plaster and glass teaching model of the eye France late 1800s.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical teaching model made of plaster cast paper and glass of the human eye fully disassembled, mounted on ebonized wooden board. French manufacture of the late 19th century. Th...
Category
1890s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gesso
20th Century Terrestrial Globe by Peter J. Oestergaard
By Peter J. Oestergaard
Located in Madrid, ES
Early 20th century antique traditional Columbus earth globe, brass frame, papier mâché sphere and turned, ebonized wooden base.
Gezeichnet & Hergestellt
Peter J. Oestergaard.
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique French 1930 Art Deco Astrolabe chrome desk decoration kinetic sculpture
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Very decorative & most rare this antique Art Deco Astrolabe from the 1930s
Made from polished chrome, with 5 turning rings and a large center sphere.
This would make a stunning decorative piece on any desk or office space
Amazing for collectors of scientific antiques
The Astrolabe remains in great antique condition with only a minor patina on the metal
Turns smoothly and looks great!
This antique Astrolabe...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
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
Antique Brass Three-Draw Telescope, 19th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This antique three-draw telescope dates to the 19th century. Solidly crafted with brass draws and a brass barrel wrapped in leather, this antique telescope is a beautiful example of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English 1930s Philips Challenge Terrestrial Globe With Turned Walnut Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Philips Challenge globe from the second quarter of the 20th century mounted on a walnut base. Journey through time with this English Philips Challenge globe from the secon...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut, Paper
Large Vintage Mongolian Wooden Math Abacus with Painted Wooden Balls
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Vintage Mongolian Wooden Math Abacus with Painted Wooden Balls. Item features Painted wooden balls in red, pink, gray, orange, blue, yellow, green and brown. Circa Mid 20th Cen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Book Press with 4 Drawer Stone Top Flat Art File Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A working antique iron book press which sits atop a four drawer art storage cabinet with two brass identification card holders on each drawer. ...
Category
19th Century Rustic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Iron, Brass
A set of bronze imperial standard bell weights by De Grave & Co
Located in London, GB
A set of bronze imperial standard bell weights by De Grave & Co of London, circa 1900.
4 bell weights: 7, 4, 2 and 1 lbs.
With a case of smaller ounce and dram disc weights. (8, 4,...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Brass and Wooden Jewelry Scale
Located in High Point, NC
Loyally underhand for quickly weighing out gemstones and precious medals, this trustworthy sidekick was once the prized tool for the detailed work of the jeweler. Made in France in t...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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 and glass. It's a coveted collecto...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "Iris, Paris", circa 1885
By Iris, Paris
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury, top of the line, French Lorgnette Opera Glasses; with fancy mother o...
Category
1880s French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Mills Novelty Art Deco Green Porcelain Penny Scale
Located in Ferndale, MI
Art Deco period penny scale by Mills Novelty co. Period green porcelain pedestal with cream colored foot hold.
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
"No. 1 Kodak Junior" Folding Camera c.1914-1927 with Case (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A rare model that offered many lens/shutter combinations. The body of camera is leather wrapped with a leather handle and chrome accents. It folds smoothly closed to 1.5 inc...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Antique Art Deco Portable Underwood Champion Typewriter c.1936
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An Art Deco portable Underwood Champion typewriter in high gloss black finish and chrome. Bakelite and nickel keys with black and white lettering. Original Underwood lettering...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel, Nickel, Chrome
Pair Antique British Leather and Brass Marine Field Binoculars, Circa 1900-1910.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique British Leather and Brass Marine Field Binoculars, Circa 1900-1910.
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
WWI brass Carl Zeiss Jena "Fussartillerie" artillery compass
Located in London, GB
A WWI brass Carl Zeiss Jena "Fussartillerie" artillery compass.
3¾ inch dial marked with N W S points, the Carl Zeiss Jena logo, and B.R. 565 FUSSARTILLERIE.
Compass ring marked ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Victorian Weighing Scales By J White & Son, c.1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Victorian grocers scales consist of a cast iron base with a ridged brass column supporting a cast iron balancing arm from which white glazed stoneware plate is s...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
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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