Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Lab Glassware

Aesthetically, lab glassware hasn't changed much in the last 100 years. (Borosilicate has been around since the 1890s.) Why does this matter? Well, that means that lab equipment is the one place where steampunk decor overlaps with the ubiquitous modern decor. We like it because it evokes the scientific romanticism of the Victorian era. Modernists like it for the clean lines and clear glass.

What this odd coincidence means is that there is a lot of innovative chemistry lab equipment based decorative items out there for some very fair prices. I ran across a surprising nice set at CB2, the "little sister" of Crate and Barrel, which features affordable modern furnishings.









Teardrop and Bottle Hanging Vases, $3.95 each



While I've browsed a lot at the large scientific supply houses for chemistry glassware, I've just ordered everything on this page because it *doesn't* have the ugly modern trappings that many (but not all) of the professional gear has -- plastic stoppers, painted on measurements, etc. The prices are also quite fair when compared to the supply houses. If you'd like to do your own comparisons, check out Cynmar, Delta Education, and Indigo.

(disclosure note: I don't make any money off of these particular links, but my Amazon and Ebay links are affliate links.)
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 7, 2009 at 10:29 AM

    I'm a chemistry graduate, and my wife bought these glasses to use in our wedding as center pieces. They are funky and elegant at the same time.

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  2. AnonymousDecember 23, 2010 at 7:32 AM

    simples but beauties, the style of the glassware as you said doesn't have so many changes in the last 100 years, some of then with a Generic Viagra style others with a more elaborated design.

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