Barometer
ca. 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
A barometer, or weather glass as it was also known at the time, measures atmospheric pressure by means of mercury in a long glass tube. Barometers were invented in 1643 and began to appear in English houses in the late 17th century. Portable barometers were designed to be hung on the wall or had collapsible brass tripod feet enabling them to stand on a table.
Design & Designing
In 1695 Daniel Quare applied for and was granted the first patent on the construction of portable barometers. Members of the Royal Society, the most eminent learned institution in Britain, were impressed by his design, which 'inverted without spilling the quick silver, or letting in any air, or excluding the pressure of the atmosphere'. It is likely that the idea came from a description of a portable barometer by Joachim d'Alsace published in Holland in 1688. Thomas Tompion, the leading English clockmaker of the period, also produced portable barometers and should be given some of the credit for their development.
People
A similar ivory-cased example, with weather indications in both French and English, is in the King's Bedroom, Hampton Court Palace. It was made for William III, for whom Quare made at least two other barometers.
A barometer, or weather glass as it was also known at the time, measures atmospheric pressure by means of mercury in a long glass tube. Barometers were invented in 1643 and began to appear in English houses in the late 17th century. Portable barometers were designed to be hung on the wall or had collapsible brass tripod feet enabling them to stand on a table.
Design & Designing
In 1695 Daniel Quare applied for and was granted the first patent on the construction of portable barometers. Members of the Royal Society, the most eminent learned institution in Britain, were impressed by his design, which 'inverted without spilling the quick silver, or letting in any air, or excluding the pressure of the atmosphere'. It is likely that the idea came from a description of a portable barometer by Joachim d'Alsace published in Holland in 1688. Thomas Tompion, the leading English clockmaker of the period, also produced portable barometers and should be given some of the credit for their development.
People
A similar ivory-cased example, with weather indications in both French and English, is in the King's Bedroom, Hampton Court Palace. It was made for William III, for whom Quare made at least two other barometers.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Turned ivory, ebonised wood and engraved brass |
| Brief description | Portable Barometer, English, ca. 1700, by Daniel Quare |
| Physical description | Portable barometer in a case of turned ivory with a base of ebonised wood and collapsible brass feet. The case is surmounted by three brass finials. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Plate below the scale inscribed: 'Invented & made by Danl Quare London'
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Daniel Quare made not only barometers, but also clocks, watches and mathematical instruments. This barometer follows a design he presented to the Royal Society and which he registered in 1695. Barometers use an air vacuum to measure air pressure. Experiments in London and The Netherlands during this period produced airtight vacuums, which helped to make barometers more reliable.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Lt. Col. G. B. Croft-Lyons FSA |
| Object history | Made in London by Daniel Quare (born in Somerset, 1648, died in Croydon, Surrey, 1724). Barometer on loan to the V & A and subsequently bequeathed by Col. Croft Lyons Notes from R.P.26/6627 Listed on the Bequest Form "183. Barometer in ivory and ebonized woodcase. By Daniel Quare (b.1648; d.1724). Late 17th or early 18th century" |
| Summary | Object Type A barometer, or weather glass as it was also known at the time, measures atmospheric pressure by means of mercury in a long glass tube. Barometers were invented in 1643 and began to appear in English houses in the late 17th century. Portable barometers were designed to be hung on the wall or had collapsible brass tripod feet enabling them to stand on a table. Design & Designing In 1695 Daniel Quare applied for and was granted the first patent on the construction of portable barometers. Members of the Royal Society, the most eminent learned institution in Britain, were impressed by his design, which 'inverted without spilling the quick silver, or letting in any air, or excluding the pressure of the atmosphere'. It is likely that the idea came from a description of a portable barometer by Joachim d'Alsace published in Holland in 1688. Thomas Tompion, the leading English clockmaker of the period, also produced portable barometers and should be given some of the credit for their development. People A similar ivory-cased example, with weather indications in both French and English, is in the King's Bedroom, Hampton Court Palace. It was made for William III, for whom Quare made at least two other barometers. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.64-1926 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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