Aneroid barometer having 2¾” decorated and coloured aluminium dial with French meteorological terms to the periphery, barometric scale calibrated in centimetres of mercury with a range from 69 – 80, and divided to 1/10ths. The lower part marked “Baromètre Holostérique” with PHBN logogram. Blued steel Naudet pattern pointer, bright plated index with adjustment knob.

The movement driven from a 1¼” nickel alloy single capsule tensioned on a C spring. All contained within a drum form case and mounted within a rotating simulated shagreen shell suspended at top and bottom on pivots, maintained in a gilt brass semicircular ring.

The whole raised over a scalloped green simulated shagreen covered base with decorative gilt brass sphere. The bottom struck with serial no. “2058.”

Condition: The subject of service, conservation and calibration under laboratory conditions. The barometer working well with full and free movement across the range, sensitive with progression – easily accurate enough across the standard range for a domestic instrument, see performance chart.

Generally very crisp, the reflector ring with minor oxidation, the dial possibly slightly aged but crisp and clean, the semicircular retaining mount with some losses of gilding and small points of oxidation. The faux shagreen in exceptional condition generally, very small loss to one corner.

Comments: The Art Deco period yielded up countless stylised designs for almost every object, and aneroid barometers are no exception. This particular design and use of material is the first such seen – in production terms the serial number is fairly low and although this cannot determine total numbers manufactured, our assessment is that there were probably not many more, assuming that the serial number is consecutive with other similar instruments.

In any event, this is a really attractive piece with obvious visual balance and from a top maker. Very unusual, lovely condition combining decoration with function and the history of art.