Dent barometer with silvered brass 4½” dial annotated “Stormy,” “Much Rain,” “Change,” “Fair,” “Set Fair,”  “Very Dry,” calibrated from 27½-31½ inches of mercury, further annotated “Aneroid Barometer” in script. The lower portion bearing the maker’s legend “E.J. Dent, Paris,” “Fahrenheit’s Scale,” serial no. “2841,” and having original curved spirit thermometer calibrated from 10-110 degrees Fahrenheit, the red-coloured dye still visible. Blued-steel pointer. Flat glass with fine, knurled, gilt brass telltale adjustment wheel to centre. Lacquered spun brass case and bezel, the bezel with trademark Dent herringbone pattern. Set pillar with suspension ring to top. The reverse with screw calibration port set at 7 o’clock. The whole contained within its original mahogany sloping top case with circular glazed viewing port, highly polished interior with blue velvet-faced recess. Brass escutcheon and lock, and brass hinges set with steel screws.

This is a very early instrument and represents one of the first aneroid type barometers sold. The movement is of the early coil spring “Vidi” type (Vidi is deemed the father of aneroid or non-mercurial barometers).  It is known that Dent cooperated closely with Vidi in the mid 19th century, but it cannot be stated with any degree of certainty as to whether Vidi manufactured the movement or Dent did so under license. The capsule is of the very early copper type, the top pivot plate of finely-cast iron bearing upon a coil spring. The chassis is retained within the case with square brass nuts.

The Dent barometer and case remain in, essentially, very original condition: some slight dents to brass case, the movement having been serviced, a good repair made to fusee chain, the escutcheon to the case a replacement. Retains most of the original lacquer and colour.

E.J. Dent (1790-1853) was a famous English watchmaker noted for his highly accurate clocks and marine chronometers, and is recorded in Banfield, Edwin, Barometer Makers and Retailers, 1660-1900 as working from 1844-1851. Dent was the first to sell the Vidi aneroid barometer in England in 1847, and in 1849, he published A Treatise on the Aneroid, a Newly Invented Portable Barometer. He exhibited at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851 when the Vidi barometer was awarded a Council Medal.

Dimensions: 6½” wide x 6½” deep x 4½” high

Stock No: BA0244

Price: SOLD