Barometer
ca. 1755 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
James Ayscough was apprenticed as optician and mathematical instrument maker and worked with J Mann in Fleet Street from about 1740-1748. He was then in business in his own name 'at the great Golden Spectacles, in Ludgate Street, near St. Paul's, London' until about 1760.
This barometer and thermometer was purchased by Thomas Barrett, 26th Baron Dacre, for Belhus, his manor near Aveley, Essex. It was probably placed in the dining room, where its lavish decoration would have created an impression on guests. It was subsequently sold to Sir Buckston Browne.
The cistern barometer is set in a case fronted by an elaborate open work rococo design in mahogany with a mirror behind; the cister cover is in the form of a gilt wood face representing the sun. Both the barometer and thermometer are similarly signed.
This barometer and thermometer was purchased by Thomas Barrett, 26th Baron Dacre, for Belhus, his manor near Aveley, Essex. It was probably placed in the dining room, where its lavish decoration would have created an impression on guests. It was subsequently sold to Sir Buckston Browne.
The cistern barometer is set in a case fronted by an elaborate open work rococo design in mahogany with a mirror behind; the cister cover is in the form of a gilt wood face representing the sun. Both the barometer and thermometer are similarly signed.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Cistern barometer and thermometer, English, inscribed 'J. Ayscough London', ca. 1755 |
| Physical description | Barometer and thermometer in a case of carved mahogany. The barometer is formed of two plates of white metal separated by a tube containing mercury, and signed. The Fahrenheit thermometer is similarly signed. The frame consists of an elaborate openwork design in mahogany of rococo ornament, festoons of flowers and columns on a background formed of a mirror. At the bottom is a representation of the sun in gilt wood. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Sir Buckston Browne |
| Object history | On show in the Octagon Court (Gallery 40) in January 1936, as shown in negative 74054, view no. 1. |
| Summary | James Ayscough was apprenticed as optician and mathematical instrument maker and worked with J Mann in Fleet Street from about 1740-1748. He was then in business in his own name 'at the great Golden Spectacles, in Ludgate Street, near St. Paul's, London' until about 1760. This barometer and thermometer was purchased by Thomas Barrett, 26th Baron Dacre, for Belhus, his manor near Aveley, Essex. It was probably placed in the dining room, where its lavish decoration would have created an impression on guests. It was subsequently sold to Sir Buckston Browne. The cistern barometer is set in a case fronted by an elaborate open work rococo design in mahogany with a mirror behind; the cister cover is in the form of a gilt wood face representing the sun. Both the barometer and thermometer are similarly signed. |
| Bibliographic reference | Victoria and Albert Museum, Fifty Masterpieces of Woodwork (London, 1955), No. 42 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.27-1926 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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