Barometer - Wood - French, around 1800
03
days
18
hours
36
minutes
54
seconds
Current bid
€ 100
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Anna Hue-Roques
Holds bachelor's degrees in Law and Art History with an Ecole du Louvre auctioneer diploma.
Estimate € 280 - € 350
 | €100 | |
|---|---|---|
| €95 | |
| €85 | |
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Wooden lyre-shaped barometer dating to the late 18th or early 19th century, in a neoclassical lyre style with a sun mask and laurel motifs, made in France.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
This barometer (thermometer dating from around 1800).
In lyre shape, with a façade featuring a radiant solar mask, surmounting an octagonal dial.
The classical indications on the barometer are in French - storm, very dry, fair weather, variable, rain, heavy rain.
The thermometer scale is graduated 'according to Réaumur', i.e. before the generalization of Celsius - thus dating from the late 18th century to early 19th century.
The style — neoclassical lyre, solar mask (the 'Apollon' motif), gilded rosettes and laurel crowns — is very characteristic of Louis XVI/Directoire taste, and this type of object was produced as well in France as in Italy (Venice, Turin, etc. had their own optician-manufacturers signing 'Selon Toricelli'). Your rear photos show the original construction: a wooden panel with reinforcements, string and an star-dial system (wind rose) operated by a mercury float — a mechanism typical of the era, often called a 'barometer-compass' or star-dial dial.
The condition is fair for its age; the essential is original, except that there are support rods behind (see photo), and the old dial is cracked (see photo).
Its operating condition is unknown.
Given its fragile nature (especially the glass), we would prefer that the article be collected in person in Paris.
This barometer (thermometer dating from around 1800).
In lyre shape, with a façade featuring a radiant solar mask, surmounting an octagonal dial.
The classical indications on the barometer are in French - storm, very dry, fair weather, variable, rain, heavy rain.
The thermometer scale is graduated 'according to Réaumur', i.e. before the generalization of Celsius - thus dating from the late 18th century to early 19th century.
The style — neoclassical lyre, solar mask (the 'Apollon' motif), gilded rosettes and laurel crowns — is very characteristic of Louis XVI/Directoire taste, and this type of object was produced as well in France as in Italy (Venice, Turin, etc. had their own optician-manufacturers signing 'Selon Toricelli'). Your rear photos show the original construction: a wooden panel with reinforcements, string and an star-dial system (wind rose) operated by a mercury float — a mechanism typical of the era, often called a 'barometer-compass' or star-dial dial.
The condition is fair for its age; the essential is original, except that there are support rods behind (see photo), and the old dial is cracked (see photo).
Its operating condition is unknown.
Given its fragile nature (especially the glass), we would prefer that the article be collected in person in Paris.
Details
Era
1400-1900
Title additional information
French, around 1800
Country of origin
France
Material
Wood
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Height
85 cm
Width
43 cm
Depth
3 cm
Weight
2 kg
Estimated period
late 18th, early 19th
In working order
No
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