Barometer
ca. 1730 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
John Hallifax was a high-quality clockmaker who worked in Barnsley, Yorkshire, from about 1711. He also made barometers such as this one, which dates from about 1730. Two of his sons also followed him into the clockmaking trade. This relatively plain example is veneered in walnut and has a six-point star inlaid with various woods in the centre of the recording dial at the bottom, a feature John Hallifax often used.
Barometers used to predict the weather from the 1680s, after it was noticed that weather conditions were connected to changes in the weight or pressure of the air, which the barometer had been developed to measure for laboratory purposes. The glass-covered dial in the centre indicated the rise and fall of mercury within a glass tube, which reflected changes in air pressure.
Barometers used to predict the weather from the 1680s, after it was noticed that weather conditions were connected to changes in the weight or pressure of the air, which the barometer had been developed to measure for laboratory purposes. The glass-covered dial in the centre indicated the rise and fall of mercury within a glass tube, which reflected changes in air pressure.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Walnut veneer on pine.Brass setting ring. Fruitwood inlay |
| Brief description | BAROMETER Walnut veneer on pine Inscribed 'J. Hallifax Barnsley Invt et Fecit', made about 1730 |
| Physical description | Wall-hung barometer, with plain veneered walnut case and central circular dial, with recording dial at the bottom with an inlaid six-point star. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | BAROMETER
ENGLISH; about 1730
Walnut veneer on pine
Signed John Hallifax Invt. et Fecit.
John Halifax of Barnsley (1694-1750) was one of the leading provincial barometer and clock makers of his time.
Given by Brigadier W.E. Clark, C.M.G., D.S.O., through the National Art-Collections Fund.(pre October 2000) |
| Credit line | Given by Brigadier W. E. Clark CMG, DSO through Art Fund |
| Summary | John Hallifax was a high-quality clockmaker who worked in Barnsley, Yorkshire, from about 1711. He also made barometers such as this one, which dates from about 1730. Two of his sons also followed him into the clockmaking trade. This relatively plain example is veneered in walnut and has a six-point star inlaid with various woods in the centre of the recording dial at the bottom, a feature John Hallifax often used. Barometers used to predict the weather from the 1680s, after it was noticed that weather conditions were connected to changes in the weight or pressure of the air, which the barometer had been developed to measure for laboratory purposes. The glass-covered dial in the centre indicated the rise and fall of mercury within a glass tube, which reflected changes in air pressure. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.11-1960 |
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| Record created | January 26, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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