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Barometer thumbnail 2
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Barometer

mid 18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Dubois, Denis-Frédéric (designed and made by)
Place of origin
France (made)

Barometer clock veneered with tortoiseshell on a carcase of oak; gilt-bronze mounts; enamel dials

Object details

Category
Clocks & Watches
Object type
Barometer
Materials and techniques
Tortoiseshell
Oak
Enamel
Ormolu
Clock-Making
Veneering
Brief description
Barometer clock with ormolu decoration, made by Dubois
Physical description
Barometer clock veneered with tortoiseshell on a carcase of oak; gilt-bronze mounts; enamel dials
Dimensions
  • Height: 45in (Note: taken from register)
  • Width: 13in (Note: taken from register)
Marks and inscriptions
Inscribed on the dial: Dd Fc Duboix A Paris
Gallery label
(1994)
BAROMETER-CLOCK
FRENCH (Paris); about 1780
Inscribed on the dial: Dd Fc Duboix A Paris
Veneered with tortoiseshell on a carcase of oak; gilt-bronze mounts; enamel dials

The word 'barometer' derives from the Greek words 'baros' and 'metron', meaning weight and measure. The instrumente measures the weight or pressure of air, which can be used to predict the weather. The first barometer was constructed by the Italian scholar and scientist Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647), who was at one time a pupil of Galileo. The instruments became fashionable for domestic use by the 1670s. On this piece it is combined with a clock. David Frédéric Dubois, spelt here as Duboix, became a master clockmaker in Paris in 1780. By that time, a design such as this would have been rather old-fashioned, though luxurious. Clockmakers in bothe France and England tended to use rather more conservative designs than furniture makers.

Given by Mrs Arthur James
Museum no. M.26-1948
Credit line
Given by Mrs Arthur James
Object history
A barometer of similar shape and identical mounts, but lacking the clock dial, was sold by Christie's, New York, 29 and 30 March 2001 lot 235. It was noted that the mounts may be associated.
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
M.26-1948

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O323124/barometer-dubois-denis-frédéric/
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