French Scientific Instruments

A Louis XVI period barometer and thermometer, French, 18th century, in carved wood painted verdigris green and parcel gilt, the engraved dial marked for Viard and Blanchard, optician...

A rare and exceptionally evocative 19th-century French anatomical model of the human ear by Maison Tramond, Paris, finely modeled and hand-polychromed in wax, retaining its original ...

An antique 18th Century French carved and gilt wood barometer with original painted finish. Measurements: Height:31.5" Width: 16" Depth: 1.5"

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 ...

Of scientific interest two French Electrotherapy devices, both wih plaques to the tops stamped "Institut Electrotherapy, 27 Rue Godot de Mauroy, Paris" Complete with original instru...

Having a wooden grip, a large notched steel wheel, and a steel and wooden handle, with an adjustable tip to accommodate differing sized bits

What is an ophthalmotrope? An ophthalmotrope is an apparatus for demonstrating the movements of the eye and the action of the different muscles which produce them, consisting essentially of a model eyeball to which are attached strings and pulleys to duplicate the line force of the muscles. We think this example is most likely French from the early 20th century. The base is marble with paw feet. It’s also quite large at well over 3 foot tall. This instrument is very complete. It also includes additional parts to set the mechanics up in a different way. In the pictures above the strings are attached to a keyboard. The alternative replaces the keyboard with string guide with a dozen hanging tubular weights. This is one of the largest and most decorative examples we have seen. I have only seen pictures of ophthalmotropes and never one this fine and complete. It’s as rare and impressive show piece. This item was also used in the movie Knives Out,

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 ...

A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...

Celestial table globe Charles-François Delamarche Paris, 1791 It measures: 17.13 in in height, Ø max 27.7 in; the sphere Ø 7.09 in (h 43.5 cm x Ø max 27.7 cm; the sphere Ø 18 cm). W...

Ptolemaic armillary sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, ante 1798 Wood and papier-mâché covered with printed and partly hand-colored paper It measures 16.37 in in height x Ø 10.94 in (41.60 cm - Ø 27.80 cm) It weights 2.33 lb (1,058 g) State of conservation: consistent with its age and use, the paper shows some signs of use, stains and abrasions. The sphere is Ptolemaic, with the Earth placed at its center, surrounded by the Moon and the Sun mounted on two metal arms. The sphere is composed of six horizontal and two vertical rings (armillae), each bearing graduations and its own name. The first horizontal ring is illegible. The others, in descending order are: North Pole, Tropic of Cancer, Equator, Tropic of Capricorn, South Pole. The vertical rings consist of two double meridians. The sphere is then connected to the large meridian by two pins, a vertical ring inserted perpendicularly into the circle of the Horizon, in turn supported by four semicircles connected to the turned and black-stained wooden base. Each element is covered with printed paper. It contains various pieces of information: latitudes, length of days, names and zodiac symbols, calendar, wind directions, etc. The vertical circles mention the latitudes and longitudes of different cities: Rome, Bordeaux, Madrid, Boston, Batavia (Jakarta), Acapulco, etc. Even the small terrestrial globe is covered with printed paper: continents and oceans appear with numerous geographical markings indicating the most recent explorations. In the Pacific Ocean, west of South America bears the following inscription: GLOBE TERRESTRIAL à Paris chez Delamarche Géog Rue du Foin Jacques Au Collège de M.e Gervais The North American coasts are well delineated and California appears correctly as a peninsula - reports from Spanish explorers in the region had given rise to confusion as to whether it was connected to the mainland or not. The geographical nature of California was confirmed after the explorations of Juan Bautista de Anza (1774-1776). Alaska is not described and is only partially traced; it would become part of the United States in 1867. Various Pacific islands are indicated. Australia (the name definitely used from 1824) is called "Nouvelle Hollande." Tasmania is still represented as a peninsula and this is an important detail for the dating of our armillary sphere. The island is separated from Australia by Bass Strait, which was crossed by Matthew Flinders for the first time in 1798, showing that it was not a peninsula. Delamarche certainly would not have waited a long time to update such an important geographical datum: presumably he did so shortly after receiving the news. Charles-François Delamarche (1740-1817) founded his laboratory around 1770 and, in a few years, he became the most famous French cartographer and globe maker between the 18th and 19th centuries. After having acquired the laboratory of the late Didier Robert de Vaugondy (1723-1786; himself a renowned cartographer who continued the family business founded by his grandfather Nicolas Sanson in the seventeenth century) and after having purchased, between 1788 and around 1800, the businesses of Jean-Baptiste Fortin (1750-1831) and Jean Lattré (around 1750-1800), he began to call himself "Successeur de MM. Sanson and Robert de Vaugondi, Géographes du Roi and de M. Fortin, Ingénieur-mécanicien du Roi pour les globes et les sphères." Thus, at the end of the eighteenth century, Delamarche possessed the warehouse stocks, as well as the manufacturing skills of the globes of his main rivals in Paris. In addition to this aggressive acquisition policy, the key to its success also lay in the combination of high-quality cartography combined with extremely attractive globes and armillary spheres; and, of course, its famous red paint finishing touch. His laboratory was located on Rue de Foin St Jacques "au Collège Me. (or "Mtre") Gervais" in the Latin Quarter of Paris until around 1805, when he moved to rue du Jardinet No. 13. On the death of Charles-François in 1817, the reins of the company passed to his son Félix (1779-1835), who continued to publish, often in collaboration with the engraver Charles Dien, Sr. In 1835 the company first moved to rue du Jardinet No. 12 and a little later to rue du Battoir No. 7. Bibliography: Dekker, Elly, et al. Globes at Greenwich...

This authentic early 20th-century coffee grinder was crafted in France by Peugeot Frères, renowned for their exceptional cast iron mills long before they became famous for automobiles. Stamped with the original oval brass badge reading “Peugeot Frères, Valentigney (Doubs)”, this piece was produced in the company’s historic foundry in eastern France. The cast iron body features deeply embossed lettering: “Peugeot Frères Brevetés S.G.D.G.”, a French patent mark meaning “Patented Without Government Guarantee,” used between 1844 and 1968. The top grinding chamber is enclosed by a domed lid, while the open bevel gear mechanism is powered by a curved crank fitted with a worn, turned wood handle. Below, a single walnut drawer in warm hardwood collects the freshly ground coffee, accented by a decorative turned knob. With its crisp castings, sculptural industrial form, and rich patina, this antique Peugeot...

Collection of 20 opaline apothecary jars from the 19th century. Collection consists of 14 larger jars and 6 smaller jars.

This set of antique ceramic water filters was crafted in Provence, France, circa 1870. Originally designed as promotional display pieces for a French pharmacy, each vessel advertises...

French brass and polished steel telescope with removable lens cap, spotting scope, and mounted on folding tripod stand, 19th Century. Signed on focal tube by prolific telescope make...

Late 19th century French brass and leather 3 draw telescope spyglass. The spyglass is made from brass. The base is wrapped with leather. Comes with the...

 A rare completely original giltwood Louis XVI period wall barometer. The top of the barometer is adorned with a baldachin suspended from a decorative ribboned bow, a classic symbol...

Compass with pocket sundial, with case. Bronze. BUTTERFIELD, Michael (1635-1724). Paris, circa 1700. Pocket sundial made of engraved metal, with a gno...

Having a double trestle base and a threaded press, the surface with a raised edge and a drain spout.

Fassamano (from the French face-a-main) eyeglasses with handle that turns into a case shaped like the lenses; dark tortoise eyeglasses, oval lenses...

Beautiful pair of mop and brass opera glasses dating from the beginning of the 20th century. Central wheel to move the view away or closer (turns with difficulty). For lovers of coll...

Standing at 21 inches in height, this set of large late nineteenth century French solid brass scales features two hanging brass pans that hang from chains. Six accompanying gram wei...

French late 19th century barometer.

Beautiful wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Typical decors of birds, flowers and leaves in different shades of blue glaze. Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2...

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 ...

Antique Drawing Instrument Set in Rosewood Box, France, 1900. A wonderful set of drawing instruments / calipers / compasses to draw and dr...

Pair of bronze mortar decorated with a mascaron and their pestle, early 20th century. Measures: Height mortar 4 inches Height pestle 7 inches.   

Fassamano (from the French face-a-main) eyeglasses with handle that turns into a case shaped like the lenses; dark tortoise eyeglasses, oval lenses...

Antique travel microscope in unrestored found condition. The brass should be polished and the glasses cleaned. All parts appear to be complete, no guarantee, see photos.

A fine pair of French enamel, brass and mother of pearl opera glasses, pink enamelled and jewelled barrels, with mother of pearl caps. Go...

System walking stick: stick with grain measuring function. Oak wood barrel, graduated on the outside with brass nails. Iron knob, brass ferrule. By unscrewing the knob, a graduated i...

Barometer end of the 18th century, Directorie, in carved and gilded wood, by Selon Toriceli, with allegory music wing on the top, beautiful patina, and decorative barometer...

A charming ceramic wall thermometer by celebrated French ceramist Mithé Espelt, created in the 1960s. This delightful decorative piece features one of Espelt's most recognizable moti...

A refined and elegant pair of late 19th century French opera glasses, crafted by the esteemed maker Lefils Paris. Exquisitely detailed in bronze doré and inlaid with glowing mother o...

A grey-black, vintage Mid-Century Modern French spotlight made of handcrafted lacquered iron, designed and produced by Clémançon in good condition. Th...

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 ...

A handsome French 18th century balance scale in iron and brass. The balance mechanism is in iron. The foot and the plates are in brass. The...

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 ...

A Medium-sized terrestrial globe, made of papier-mâché, finished with pastille and completed by the application of paper spindles imprinted with intaglio printing. Color touch-ups. T...

Having a large weighing surface and a smaller side for weights.

Good quality pair of opera glasses, binoculars with their original leather case. In very good condition. Glass clean and clear. All mechanical settings work. Optics has no sc...

Rare neoclassical style French giltwood clock and barometer set French, 19th century Measures: Height 90cm, width 38cm, depth 12cm This du...

Anatomical cut of a human skull composed in natural painted papier-maché, with numbered labels on the different elements

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 ...

This is a vintage specimen collector's chest of drawers. A French, solid walnut four drawer executive desk box, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930. Exceptional figuring and f...

Important set of scales from France. This piece has a detailed brass structure with working functionality. It is supported by a wood base. They are in excellent antique condition – t...

A beautiful Repousse sterling French pen with crystal holder - very elegant and signed at the tip. A complement to any desk or work station, especially those that use decor of the...

Carved and Giltwood Louis XVI Style Barometer

French Victorian bronze cannon with trailer model. (2 pieces)

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 ...

Unique Historical Work of Art Dated 1918 "L' Astronome (The Astronomer) by Fedinant Roybet. This is an original and one-of-a-kind artistic presentation- a superb pyrography incis...

A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...

AMBIANIC presents Vintage Colmont FT Paris binoculars Colmont a French optical company known for producing high-quality binoculars  leather-covered body maker stamp present 7.75 x 5 ...

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 ...

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 ...

About A late 19th century balance scale. The body is Mahogany with two brass trays, brass and glass window and bronze inner mechanism. Th...

Early 20th century Paris stamped prosthetic arm with hook Dimensions in inches: H 24” x W 4” x D 4” Age: 1920 Origin: France (Paris) Condition: aged Overview A child size small ...

This 19th Century French iron and brass scale showcases a striking blend of utilitarian structure and refined material contrast. The cast-iron base, marked by clean lines and a gentl...

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 ...

O/2941 , vintage French telescopes with its case: for Your holidays ! Small and convenient to carry . Signed ISELI, Paris.