antique clocks, watches,
barometers & instruments
www.antique-horology.org
The
H o r o l o g i c a l F o u n d a t i o n
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antique clocks, watches,
barometers & instruments |
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Guidance in making write-ups (descriptions) of a barometer for those whose native language is not English.
Tip: Click either the red numbers on the pictures or on an index item below. 17 18 HandsMaker Bezel Bow Front Cistern & Tube 8 14 Cistern cover Case 19 Dial (Case) Trunk (Case) Pediment 3 4 (Case) Top Case Ornaments 2 5 6b 15 22 20 Functional aspects 40 Gimbals Register plate 11 12 Scale or register plate 9 10 Setting key 21 30 31 Thermometer 13 Setting hand 6 Vernier
Basic aspects of a description
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| Subjects | Possible 'write up’s' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Case |
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The case edged in black stringing. The case of this marine barometer consists of five separate sections of turned solid mahogany, screwed together by wooden threads. A satinwood-veneered mercury wheel barometer with swan neck pediment, the case with shoulders above and below the dial. George-I-period stick barometer of fine colour and figure. The trunk has well-patinated and highly figured walnut veneers with cross-grain side mouldings. Original polish in a dark rich mahogany finish. The case with architectural broken pediment, the exposed tube to front of case and the case inlaid with black and white stringing. The figured mahogany-veneered bow front maintaining much original colour but with normal cleaning and restoration and some re-polishing. Ebony stringing to the edge of the trunk which has fine figured mahogany veneer in original polish throughout except for minor repairs. A fine mahogany-veneered bow front stick barometer by Matthew Berge of London circa 1810 measuring 35 ¼" x 4 ¼". basically a mahogany box with an architectural cornice, inlays on the base, and mouldings and stringing throughout. Early 19th-century Dutch inlaid mahogany contra-barometer mahogany case of rich colour with a broken pediment topped by an urn finial, two turned finials below, The case is veneered with mahogany and has a glazed door. Elegant elaborated case with shell decoration. The polish is remarkably good condition and although not re-polished recently it most likely has been re-polished in its past, the colour is a warm mellow orange, which is normally associated with this fine veneer. The trunk has well-patinated and highly figured walnut veneers with cross-grain side mouldings. The trunk, a little less than 3" wide, is decorated with the finest mahogany veneers. The stem is veneered with mahogany with brass moulded doors to
the silvered, Outstanding mahogany Stick Barometer with 'swan-neck' pediment
and brass framed doors. c. 1790 Satinwood, an exotic timber, has always been prized for use for decorative work and this barometer is one of the few which are still around, which was made with satinwood veneer, for which it would have been highly prized.
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| Case top |
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A satinwood-veneered mercury wheel barometer with swan neck pediment, An 8"-dial wheel barometer in finely figured mahogany-veneered case. The moulded arched top is surmounted by three gilt wood ball finials mounted on blocks supported on each side by two detached ebonised columns with gilt capitals. The case with architectural broken pediment. The pediment of caddy design. caddy-designed pediment the canted corners to the cistern cover inlaid with ebony. mahogany case of rich colour with a broken pediment topped by an urn finial, two turned finials below, replacement finial, pediment repaired, The case edged in black stringing. A satinwood-veneered mercury wheel barometer with swan neck pediment. Unusual mahogany Stick Barometer with rounded top and base and silvered brass register plates c1770 The moulded arched top is surmounted by three gilt wood ball finials mounted on blocks supported on each side by two detached ebonised columns with gilt capitals. This barometer, with cushion top and an attractively turned urn shaped cistern cover, Outstanding mahogany Stick Barometer with 'swan-neck' pediment and brass framed doors. c. 1790 Unusual and fine quality satinwood and banded Wheel Barometer.
c. 1820 |
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| Case Trunk |
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The trunk has well-patinated and highly figured walnut veneers
with cross-grain side mouldings. |
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| Cistern & cover |
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Visible mercury cistern protected by a brass ornament.
The mercury cistern, housed inside the base, The original gadrooned cistern cover is very distinctive and of a rare form. Shallow turned cistern cover. The cistern cover in ebonised beech, maintaining original polish, which is marked in places, the cistern surround of traditional cantered corner with triple ebony inlays, the moulding to the base of the cistern to the left & right replaced, caddy-designed pediment the canted corners to the cistern cover inlaid with ebony. The original gadrooned cistern cover is very distinctive and of a rare form. This barometer, with cushion top and an attractively turned urn shaped cistern cover, A second mercury tube runs down the centre of the instrument, with a bulb cistern and two additional scales of measurement. |
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| Dial |
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The script-engraved dial particularly fine, all in italics.
This is a fine example of a mercury wheel barometer with nicely engraved dial & thermometer scale. 8" dial inscribed 'Pastorelli, 4 Cross Street, Hatton Garden', replacement cast bezel and hands, Dial inscribed 'Job Casteleti' highly decoratively engraved designs. a mercury wheel barometer with nicely engraved dial & thermometer scale. The silvered engraved dial with black lettering includes chapters for.... Silvered dial with.. Exceptionally clean dial. |
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| Functional aspects |
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The mercury column is read in Old French inches, and the
thermometer registers in both Centigrade and
Réaumur scales. with manually adjusted vernier numbered 1 down to 10. with rack-operated vernier, The main weather scale is based on English inches, from 28 to 31, but divided into 12ths. The divisions radiate upward and downward from zero at about 29.7 inches, median barometric pressure at Amsterdam's latitude. Contraroleur barometers, made largely in the Low Countries, were designed around Christiaan Huygens' very interesting mercury system which uses a U-shaped tube with mercury down one side and around the bend, and coloured oil back up the other side, providing an expanded scale for easier reading of small movements. A second mercury tube, essentially a separate barometer, runs down the centre of the instrument and provides additional scales of measurement in English and French inches. 1) A sympiesometer is read by first taking note of the temperature shown on the thermometer, then moving the pointer of the sliding scale to that reading on the fixed temperature scale on the right side of the instrument’s backplate. The top of the column of coloured oil will then match a point on the 27.5 through 31-inch barometric scale next to the tube of oil, which will correspond to readings taken from a standard mercury barometer. The reading is already temperature-corrected, and markers for both temperature and barometric pressure have been set. In the case on the right the contra-tube is placed. This tube gives a more exact indication. The barometer has a brass hand. Contra-barometers, also known as 'bak-barometers' (literally, cistern in a box or case), A second mercury tube runs down the centre of the instrument, with a bulb cistern and two additional scales of measurement. ...contra-barometer, so named for one of its two mercury systems which uses a U-shaped tube with mercury down one side and around the bend, and coloured oil back up the side with the register plate, essentially an expanded scale for easier reading of small movements. |
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| Gimbal |
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The barometer retains its original brass gimballed mount that is spring-suspended to absorb concussion from cannon fire. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maker |
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8" dial inscribed 'Pastorelli, 4 Cross Street, Hatton Garden',
attributed to Francis Pastorelli working between 1849-1869 but
known to have been Francis & Co. after 1855, dating this barometer
therefore circa 1850 Job Casteleti was estimated to be working between 1830 and 1850 in Leicester, 'Barometer Makers and Retailers 1660 - 1900' Edwin Banfield. A John Casteleti was known to be working in 1841. This barometer, certainly a relative if not a son dating perhaps circa 1855. Silvered scale signed " Baromètre par F.Molteno aîné, Rue du Coq, St Honoré nr.11 à Paris " A very traditional barometer by an early and much sought-after maker. ..by Baptista Ronchetti of 15 High Street, Manchester. He was a prolific producer of high quality instruments. A fine mahogany-veneered bow front stick barometer by Matthew Berge of London circa 1810 measuring 35 ¼" x 4 ¼". J. Waldi is recorded working in Groningen circa 1800 - 1840 pewter plates signed J. Waldi Groningen, The signature is surrounded by a garland. Signed 'Barometer Thermometer en Contraroleur G. Butti com.
Fec. Amsterd.' The maker is Solari & Co., Groningen, in the northern Netherlands. |
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| Pointers & Hands |
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with manually adjusted vernier numbered 1 down to 10.
..with rack-operated vernier, ..finely made gold hands. A small movable pointer traverses this scale. |
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| Scale or Register |
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1) The scale with weather words on the left and inches divided on
the right. The silvered brass scales are beautifully engraved with foliate and wheatear decoration and show barometric pressures from 27 to 31. The weather scale and thermometer plate are engraved silvered brass, protected by glass in brass frames. With silvered register plate with manually operated vernier and thermometer, engraved with floral design underneath the name, The sliding barometric scale
of the sympiesometer is set through a milled edged button on the
outer right side of the case. This button also incorporates a key
to set the scale's rack-operated vernier. The two scale-plates are surmounted by two engraved faces. The right plate has a scale in inches for the "contraroleur". The left plate has a scale in inches. Beneath this scale the signature Barometer Contraroleur en Thermometer D. Tachi Z. Zee is engraved. The barometer has two engraved pewter plates. The polished pewter register plates are profusely engraved and decorated. ..divided into 36 divisions radiating upward in 20 divisions from about 29.7 inches (median barometric pressure at Amsterdam's latitude) to 31 inches, and downward from 29.7 to 28 in 16 divisions. Weather indications are naturally Dutch; "Orcaan" (hurricane), "Hevige Storm" (severe storm), "Storm", "Veel Reg. of Wind" (much rain and wind), "Regen of Wind" (rain or wind), "Veranderlyk" (changeable, or variable), "Goed Weer" (good weather), "Mooy Weer" (beautiful weather), "Bestendig" (settled), and "Heel Schoon" (perfect weather). The polished pewter register plates are profusely engraved and decorated. 2) has an engraved and silvered dial graduated on either side of the tube 26 - 31 with registers to record the barometric pressure at 10.00am yesterday and 10.00am today. There are the usual indications for stormy, rain, change etc. The stem is veneered with mahogany with brass moulded doors to
the silvered, |
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| Setting key |
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| Thermometer |
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This is a fine example of a mercury wheel barometer with nicely
engraved dial & thermometer scale.
The mercury column is read in Old French inches, and the thermometer registers in both Centigrade and Réaumur scales. long thermometer with bow fronted glass, Mercury filled thermometer The thermometer is placed beneath the signature and has a Fahrenheit and Réaumur scale. The thermometer notes record high and low temperatures in Paris, Amsterdam, and Greitz in Germany, from 1743 to 1798. The large red spirit thermometer is graduated in Fahrenheit and Réaumur. a mercury wheel barometer with nicely engraved dial & thermometer scale. |
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Title: quality/state, style, type, maker, place, date. |
An interesting quality bow fronted mahogany barometer inscribed 'Fraser, Bond Street London'. Late 18th Century | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Case: quality, type, design particulars, material, components and ornaments. |
The figured mahogany-veneered bow-front maintaining much original colour but with normal cleaning and restoration and some re-polishing. The pediment of caddy design with taller curves surmounted by a platform . The cistern cover in ebonised beech, maintaining original polish, the cistern surround of traditional cantered corner with triple ebony inlays, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Register plates: quality, type, material, features, components, ornaments. |
The scale with weather words on the left and inches divided on the right with manually adjusted vernier numbered 1 down to 10. The script engraved dial particularly fine, all in italics. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Functional aspects: quality, material, construction, |
The main weather scale is based on English inches, from 28 to 31, but divided into 12ths. The divisions radiate upward and downward from zero at about 29.7 inches. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Maker or origin: give as much information as possible on the maker and or region of manufacturing. |
Fraser of Bond Street, probably William Fraser 1st, optical instrument maker and mathematical instrument maker known to be working between 1780 and 1805 at 3 New Bond Street, London. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dimensions: H= height W= width D= depth L= length Diam. = diameter |
Width 4 ½" across pediment, Length 38 ¼" |
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Literature (acknowledgements): state where similar objects are described or exhibited, and the source of the maker's biographical details. |
Lit: Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 |
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Tip: Be careful when using 'promotional' terms |
Such as: most imposing, attractive, well executed, good, fine, very fine, impressive, well proportioned, fine quality, extremely rare, important, beautifully executed, extraordinary, outstanding, |
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A very rare walnut-veneered George I period stick barometer of
fine colour and figure. The trunk has well-patinated and highly
figured walnut veneers with cross-grain side mouldings. The
original gadrooned cistern cover is very distinctive and of a rare
form. The moulded arched top is surmounted by three gilt wood ball
finials mounted on blocks supported on each side by two detached
ebonised columns with gilt capitals. The silvered brass scales are
beautifully engraved with foliate and wheatear decoration and show
barometric pressures from 27 to 31. Height: 39 ins. (99.06 cm.) Circa: 1725 |
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27111C.BAR PEGLER, BLANDFORD. A BEAUTIFULLY FIGURED BOW FRONT MAHOGANY STICK BAROMETER. CIRCA 1825. This barometer, with cushion top and an attractively turned urn shaped cistern cover, has an engraved and silvered dial graduated on either side of the tube 26 - 31 with registers to record the barometric pressure at 10.00am yesterday and 10.00am today. There are the usual indications for stormy, rain, change etc. The trunk, a little less than 3" wide, is decorated with the finest mahogany veneers. This barometer was almost certainly made by Samuel L.Pegler of Blandford ( 1824-30 ) prior to taking the son into the business. Length : 38.2" ( 97 cms.) |
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DOLLAND, London circa 1800 A very fine, George III stick barometer with architectural pediment. The stem is veneered with mahogany with brass moulded doors to the silvered, engraved barometer and thermometer register plates. Stock No: 3043 Height (inches): 41 Height (cms): 104 |
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Spectacular Dutch inlaid mahogany contra-barometer, so named for
one of its two mercury systems which uses a U-shaped tube with
mercury down one side and around the bend, and coloured oil back up
the side with the register plate, essentially an expanded scale
for easier reading of small movements. A second mercury tube runs
down the centre of the instrument, with a bulb cistern and two
additional scales of measurement. The large red spirit thermometer is graduated in Fahrenheit and Réaumur. The polished pewter register plates are profusely engraved and decorated. The maker is Solari & Co., Groningen, in the northern Netherlands. Contra-barometers, also known as bak-barometers (literally, barometer in a box, for the rectangular glass-fronted case), are found throughout the Low Countries from about 1740 onwards, but the Dutch used them more than any other country. The thermometer notes record high and low temperatures in Paris, Amsterdam, and Greitz in Germany, from 1743 to 1798. Weather indications are naturally Dutch; "Orcaan" (hurricane), "Hevige Storm" (severe storm), "Storm", "Veel Reg. of Wind" (much rain and wind), "Regen of Wind" (rain or wind), "Veranderlyk" (changeable, or variable), "Goed Weer" (good weather), "Mooy Weer" (beautiful weather), "Bestendig" (settled), and "Heel Schoon" (perfect weather). The main weather scale, which one reads off the top of the red oil in the far right tube of the instrument, is confusingly a combination of English inches, from 28 to 31, divided into 36 divisions radiating upward in 20 divisions from about 29.7 inches (median barometric pressure at Amsterdam's latitude) to 31 inches, and downward from 29.7 to 28 in 16 divisions. A small movable pointer traverses this scale. Circa 1810-1830. |
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An early 19th century Dutch mahogany contra-barometer by J.M. Pagani, Groningen, in the northern Netherlands. Contraroleur (controleur) barometers, made largely in the Low Countries, were designed around Christiaan Huygens' very interesting mercury system which uses a U-shaped tube with mercury down one side and around the bend, and coloured oil back up the other side, providing an expanded scale for easier reading of small movements. A second mercury tube, essentially a separate barometer, runs down the centre of the instrument and provides additional scales of measurement in three Rhineland and three English inches which are divided into 36 divisions radiating upward in 20 divisions from about 29.7 inches (median barometric pressure at Amsterdam's latitude) to 31 inches, and downward from 29.7 to 28 in 16 divisions. Weather indications on the barometric scale are naturally Dutch; "Heel Schoon" (perfect weather). "Storm", "Hevige Storm" (severe storm), "Orcaan" (hurricane). The expanded scale, with similar devisions and weather words, has a sliding setting hand (to memorise previous readings) which can be set through a brass knob at the side of the case. The expanding rate of this scale is 7:1. The polished pewter register plates are profusely engraved and decorated. An engraved cartouche shows the signature and text: Barometer Thermometer en (and) Controleur door (by) J.M. Pagani Groningen. The red spirit thermometer is placed beneath the signature and records historical high and low temperatures at various locations. It has a Fahrenheit and Réaumur scale. This form of barometer is also known as the 'bakbarometer'(Dutch), because of the cistern tray at the base. Basically it's a mahogany-veneered board with an architectural cornice and a glazed door. The base and corniche have decorative panels in ‘verre églomisé’ and there is moulding and stringing throughout. Circa 1810-20 51 ½" High, 11" wide (cornice) |
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Dutch Louis XVI Contra-bak-barometer A very nice made barometer with thermometer. The polished pewter register plates are profusely engraved and decorated. Elegant elaborated case with shell decoration. Maker: Signed 'Barometer Thermometer en Contraroleur G. Butti com. Fec. Amsterd.' ca 1800 Dimensions:122 x 21 x 10 cm |
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A DUTCH CONTRA-BAKBAROMETER Signed: D. Tachi Z.Zee ca. 1830 Holland Scale: The barometer has two pewter engraved plates. The left plate has a scale in inches. Beneath this scale the signature Barometer Contraroleur en Thermemeter D. Tachi Z. Zee is engraved. The signature is surrounded by a garland. The thermometer is placed beneath the signature and has a Fahrenheit and Réaumur scale. The right plate has a scale in inches for the "contraroleur". In the case on the right the contra-tube is placed. This tube gives a more exact indication. The barometer has a brass hand. The two scale-plates are surmounted by two engraved faces. The Case: The case is veneered with mahogany and has a glazed door. Length: 116 cm. Width: 21 cm. Depth: 9 cm. |
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Early 19th century Dutch inlaid mahogany contra-barometer by Anton Peia, Amsterdam. Contraroleur barometers, made largely in the Low Countries, were designed around Christiaan Huygens' very interesting mercury system which uses a U-shaped tube with mercury down one side and around the bend, and coloured oil back up the other side, providing an expanded scale for easier reading of small movements. A second mercury tube, essentially a separate barometer, runs down the centre of the instrument and provides additional scales of measurement in English and French inches. This form of barometer is also known as the 'bakbarometer', basically a mahogany box with an architectural cornice, inlays on the base, and mouldings and stringing throughout. The polished pewter register plates are profusely engraved and decorated. The thermometer records high and low temperatures in Paris, Amsterdam, and Greitz in Germany, from 1743 to 1798. Weather indications on the barometric scale are naturally Dutch; "Orcaan" (hurricane), "Hevige Storm" (severe storm), "Storm", through "Heel Schoon" (perfect weather). The main weather scale is based on English inches, from 28 to 31, but divided into 12ths. The divisions radiate upward and downward from zero at about 29.7 inches, median barometric pressure at Amsterdam's latitude. A small movable setting hand traverses this scale. The large finial is restored. Circa 1810-20 51 ½" High, 11" wide (cornice) |
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A fine mahogany-veneered bow-front stick barometer by Matthew Berge of London circa 1810 measuring 35 ¼" x 4 ¼". This style of barometer with bow front glass case and ebonised cistern cover are perhaps the most sought after of stick barometers. This model of traditional design as previously made by Jessie Ramsden, with rack-operated vernier, caddy-designed pediment the canted corners to the cistern cover inlaid with ebony. Ebony stringing to edge of the trunk which has fine figured mahogany veneer in original polish throughout except for minor repairs. Matthew Berge worked for Jessie Ramsden & took over his workshop on the death of Ramsden in 1800. From 1802 to 1817 Matthew Berg was known to be at 199 Piccadilly, London. He took over Ramsden's dividing engine for scales. General minor restorations and replacement setting key, replacement off set boxwood cistern & tube. See Directory of Scientific Instrument Makers 1558-1851 by Gloria Clifton POA. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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An interesting quality bow-fronted mahogany barometer inscribed 'Fraser, Bond Street London'. The pediment of caddy design with taller curves surmounted by platform rather than the Ramsden type. The scale with weather words on the left and inches divided on the right with manually adjusted vernier numbered 1 down to 10. The figured mahogany-veneered bow front maintaining much original colour but with normal cleaning and restoration and some re-polishing. The cistern cover in ebonised beech, maintaining original polish, which is marked in places, the cistern surround of traditional cantered corner with triple ebony inlays, the moulding to the base of the cistern to the left & right replaced, the case strung in black stringing and the barometer is hanging flat to the wall as of these early types. Fraser of Bond Street, probably William Fraser 1st, optical instrument maker and mathematical instrument maker known to be working between 1780-1805 at 3 New Bond Street, London. This fine bow front barometer, probably late 18th Century, which can be derived from the beech cistern cover, normally associated with early barometers and the lightly extended pediment to the top. The script engraved dial particularly fine, all in italics. Maximum width 4 ½" across pediment, length 38 ¼" References are from Director of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 Gloria Clifton. POA. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A mahogany mercury stick barometer by Baptista Ronchetti of 15 High Street, Manchester. He was a prolific producer of high quality instruments. With silvered register plate with manually operated vernier and thermometer, engraved with floral design underneath name, behind hinged door. The case with architectural broken pediment, the exposed tube to front of case and the case inlaid with black and white stringing. Shallow turned cistern cover. Replacement tube, scale resilvered and general repairs to case. Original polish in a dark rich mahogany finish. A very traditional barometer by an early and much sought after maker. 5 ¼" x 38" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A very rare walnut veneered George I period stick barometer of
fine colour and figure. The trunk has well-patinated and highly
figured walnut veneers with cross-grain side mouldings. The
original gadrooned cistern cover is very distinctive and of a rare
form. The moulded arched top is surmounted by three gilt wood ball
finials mounted on blocks supported on each side by two detached
ebonised columns with gilt capitals. The silvered brass scales are
beautifully engraved with foliate and wheatear decoration and show
barometric pressures from 27 to 31. Height: 39 ins. (99.06 cm.) Circa: 1725 |
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French mahogany stick barometer, F. Molteno aîné à Paris, circa
1820. Visible mercury cistern protected by a brass ornament. Silvered scale signed " Baromètre par F.Molteno aîné, Rue du Coq, St Honoré nr.11 à Paris ". mahogany-veneered case. Very exclusive Empire barometer. Height 104 cm. |
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An 8" dial wheel barometer in finely figured mahogany-veneered case. Dial inscribed 'Job Casteleti' highly decoratively engraved designs. Mercury filled thermometer above, swan neck pediment, the case with shoulders above and below dial. Re-polished, replacement finial, pediment repaired, replacement cast bezel and hands, replacement mercury tube. Job Casteleti was estimated to be working between 1830 and 1850 in Leicester, 'Barometer Makers and Retailers 1660 - 1900' Edwin Banfield. A John Casteleti was known to be working in 1841. This barometer, certainly a relative if not a son dating perhaps circa 1855. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A satinwood-veneered mercury wheel barometer with swan neck pediment, long thermometer with bow fronted glass, 8" dial inscribed 'Pastorelli, 4 Cross Street, Hatton Garden', attributed to Francis Pastorelli working between 1849 and 1869 but known to have been Francis & Co. after 1855, dating this barometer therefore circa 1850. The case edged in black stringing. This is a fine example of a mercury wheel barometer with nicely engraved dial & thermometer scale. Satinwood, an exotic timber, has always been prized for use for decorative work and this barometer is one of the few which are still around, which was made with satinwood veneer, for which it would have been highly prized. It has some minor replacements like setting, thermometer bolt, finial & ivory pateraes and a replacement tube. The polish is remarkably good condition and although not re-polished recently it most likely has been re-polished in its past, the colour is a warm mellow orange, which is normally associated with this fine veneer. 10 ¼"wide x 39 ½" high | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Peter Dollond – London. Outstanding mahogany Stick Barometer with 'swan-neck' pediment and brass framed doors. c. 1790 |
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Unusual and fine quality satinwood and banded Wheel Barometer.
c. 1820 |
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Unusual mahogany Stick Barometer with rounded top and base and silvered brass register plates c. 1770 |
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Patrick Adie – London. c. 1865 Good brass-cased ‘Kew-Pattern’ marine Stick Barometer – No. 2428 on original gimbals. |
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DOLLAND, London circa 1800 A very fine, George III, stick barometer with architectural pediment. The stem is veneered with mahogany with brass moulded doors to the silvered, engraved barometer and thermometer register plates. Height (inches): 41 Height (cms): 104 |
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PEGLER, BLANDFORD. A BEAUTIFULLY FIGURED BOW-FRONT MAHOGANY STICK
BAROMETER. CIRCA 1825. This barometer, with cushion top and an attractively turned urn shaped cistern cover, has an engraved and silvered dial graduated on either side of the tube 26 - 31 with registers to record the barometric pressure at 10.00am yesterday and 10.00am today. There are the usual indications for stormy, rain, change etc. The trunk, a little less than 3" wide, is decorated with the finest mahogany veneers. This barometer was almost certainly made by Samuel L.Pegler of Blandford ( 1824-30 ) prior to taking the son into the business. Length : 38.2" ( 97 cms.) |
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A very rare walnut-veneered George I period stick barometer of
fine colour and figure. The trunk has well-patinated and highly
figured walnut veneers with cross-grain side mouldings. The
original gadrooned cistern cover is very distinctive and of a rare
form. The moulded arched top is surmounted by three gilt wood ball
finials mounted on blocks supported on each side by two detached
ebonised columns with gilt capitals. The silvered brass scales are
beautifully engraved with foliate and wheatear decoration and show
barometric pressures from 27 to 31. Height: 39 ins. (99.06 cm.) Circa: 1725 |
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19TH CENTURY FRENCH SHIP'S BAROMETER This instrument was made between 1820 and 1850 in Bordeaux. Its case is made from five separate sections of turned solid mahogany, screwed together by wooden threads. The weather scale and thermometer plate are engraved silvered brass, protected by glass in brass frames. The barometer retains its original brass gimballed mount that is spring-suspended to absorb concussion from cannon fire. The mercury column is read in Old French inches, and the thermometer registers in both Centigrade and Réaumur scales. The mercury cistern, housed inside the base, is wrapped in a Philadelphia newspaper from 1862, an indication that the barometer was serviced in this country around the start of the U.S. Civil War. Knowledge of impending foul weather has always been of the greatest interest to mariners of every sea-going country, but it was not until the late 18th century that a reliable barometer for shipboard use was designed. A conventional straight-tube barometer had a short life at sea, since the constant motion of the ship causes mercury to surge upward and break the enclosing glass tube. Marine instrument-makers devised two safeguards: a constricted bore in the glass tube that permits the mercury to rise only very slowly; and a gimbal mounting to allow the barometer to remain vertical regardless of the ship's motion. Weather indications on barometers have changed little in 300 years, but one of the earliest examples states unusually succinctly and accurately: FAIR IF MERCURY RISE AND FOUL IF MERCURY FALL. |
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Sympiesometer by Hennessey of Swansea Rosewood-cased sympiesometer. The “air barometer,” a device for measuring atmospheric pressure based on the compression of air rather than the weight of the atmosphere, was conceived and demonstrated in the 17th century by Robert Hooke, but remained little more than a scientific curiosity until early in the 19th century. In 1818, Alexander Adie of Edinburgh refined and patented the first practical sympiesometer. In place of air in the closed end of the tube of fluid, Adie used hydrogen, and filled the lower part of the tube with coloured oil. Adie’s target market was the marine trade, where he had a thriving business in supplying ships’ barometers, but he wanted to be able to provide a more compact and durable instrument, one that could more quickly and accurately have its readings adjusted for temperature. After about 1820, sympiesometers were made by many suppliers of instruments, and also manufactured by Adie with other sellers’ names on them. They are found in all sizes, even down to a pocket model, and are sometimes combined in the same instrument with a marine barometer. A sympiesometer is read by first taking note of the temperature shown on the thermometer, then moving the pointer of the sliding scale to that reading on the fixed temperature scale on the right side of the instrument’s backplate. The top of the column of coloured oil will then match a point on the 27.5 through 31-inch barometric scale next to the tube of oil, which will correspond to readings taken from a standard mercury barometer. The reading is already temperature-corrected, and markers for both temperature and barometric pressure have been set. A rotating disc at the bottom of the instrument records readings for future reference, since the direction of movement of the oil will want to be known, just as it is on a mercury barometer. Most sympiesometers will also have a table of weather indications (Rain, Change, Fair, etc.) on the inches scale, just like a barometer. The sympiesometer shown here is intended for use on a ship, as noted by the restriction in the glass column to prevent surging and the rosewood case, which withstands corrosive sea air better than most cabinet woods. It also has a fastener at the bottom of the case, which allows it to be fixed firmly to the bulkhead. Sympiesometers were used in a stationary installation on shipboard, rather than gimbaled like a mercury barometer. The reservoir in the glass column is fitted with an anti-spill restrictor, and there is a sliding closing device for the mouth of the column. The backplate is engraved and silvered brass, and is marked Improved Sympiesometer, which refers to Adie’s patent on the improved air barometer, with a maker’s serial number. The instrument is of a large size, easily read. The maker is Bernard Hennessy of Swansea, a major sea port on the south coast of Wales. The Hennessey firm was a known maker of mathematical instruments in Swansea around 1800 (Taylor, pp366), and Bernard Hennessey, “clockmaker trained in London and contractor to the Admiralty," practiced in Swansea from 1848 to 1875 (Peate). Circa 1850-1860 23.5” High, 3.5” Wide No. 1552 |
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How to move and handle a barometer |
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