Barometer
mid 18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Barometer clock veneered with tortoiseshell on a carcase of oak; gilt-bronze mounts; enamel dials
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| 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 |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed on the dial: Dd Fc Duboix A Paris |
| Gallery label | 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(1994) |
| 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 | |
| Accession number | M.26-1948 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
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