A most unusual and very attractive Victorian 12” dial aneroid wall barometer set in a carved oak rope twist case c1860

Extremely large aneroid wall barometer having 12” printed opalescent vitreous glass dial calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 25 – 31” divided to 1/50th, standard meteorological wording: Stormy, Much-Rain, Rain, Change, Fair, Set-Fair and Very-Dry, with additional Fitzroy comments most usually found on marine barometers: Fall for S.Wly S.E. S.W., Wet or More Wind, Dry or Less Wind, Rise for N.Ely N.W. N.E. and Except Wet from N.E. Direction. The centre carrying the retailer’s details: “J. Place, 13 Bull St., Birmingham.” Japanned steel pointer and gilt brass telltale, all presented below a heavy bevelled glass set in a lacquered oxidised brass bezel. Early Vidi style movement driven from a single 2½” 2nd pattern capsule tensioned on a coil spring. The whole in a well-carved rope style 16” diameter oak surround, brass hanger at 12 o’clock, three dial fixing ferrules, calibration port.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement working well across the barometric range with easily acceptable accuracy for domestic purposes.

The dial about perfect, the glass damage free, the bezel with some deterioration but with good lustre and colour. The lacquer re-polished. The oak case with some marks, minor abrasions and light shrinkage, but structurally sound and with good colour.

Overall very good condition.

Comments: 12” dial barometers are scarce and eagerly sought. This is a particularly fine example of evident quality in very original condition, the use of vitreous glass producing a dial of particular luminosity, depth and attractiveness. As would be expected, the dial is not flat, this unevenness often observed in the glass of mid 19th century instruments.

A number of English barometer makers, to include J.H. Steward, bought in these good quality French movements, descendants of those French movements used by Vidi in the first aneroid instruments, to fit into visually striking barometers. J. Place was the retailer of this significant instrument.

Imposing and aesthetically very attractive, this Victorian wall barometer would be a focal point in any room. 

NB: the pocket barometer shown is for scale purposes only