Mercurial barometers were invented in the 1640s, but those made earlier than about 1740 are rare indeed. Most of the ones we sell date from the late 18th to the mid 19th century: they are old enough to be desirable antiques but not so old as to be quite rare and costly.Our barometers are all in working order and in superb condition. Any restoration that has been done has been performed correctly, and the cornices, hands, verniers, thermometers and mercury systems are exactly as they should be for the age and type of barometer. We are happy to deliver the barometers if time and distance allow. Barometers come and go. If you are looking for a specific type, call or e-mail us and we'll put you on our list.We offer a comprehensive restoration service for antique mercury barometers. Please click here for more information. |
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The nicely made case uses flame mahogany veneer and ebony trim, and the glazed door has the original working lock and a restored key. The register plates and thermometer plate are engraved and silvered brass. The Fahrenheit mercury thermometer is a removable assembly. The only restorations are the finial and some small repairs to the cornice mouldings. The barometer is signed Wm. Harris & Co., 50 Holborn, London. William Harris worked for the famous Sir David Brewster in Edinburgh until about 1800, then began to produce instruments under his own name. In about 1800 he opened premises at 50 Holborn in London, marking his output as William Harris & Co. In 1840 the firm was renamed William Harris & Son. 40" high, 5 3/4” wide
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19th
century Dutch inlaid walnut contra-barometer
signed J: Stoppani & Zoon, Amsterdam Spectacular 19th century Dutch inlaid walnut
contra-barometer, so named for one of its two mercury systems
which uses a U-shaped tube with mercury and colored oil,
essentially an expanded scale for easier reading of small
movements. Contra-barometers, also known as bak-barometers (literally,
barometer in a box, for the rectangular glass-fronted case),
are found throughout the Low Countries from about 1740 onwards. Circa 1825-1840 |
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This is a fine example of a late Georgian stick barometer by a noted London maker. The sweeping scroll cornice, long register plate, stepped cistern cover, and lack of a thermometer point to a date of just around 1800, supported by the fine and simple engraving. The case uses solid ebony mouldings and stringing on the cornice, around the register plate area, and down the front of the case. Figured mahogany veneer sets off the front of the case. Altogether a very elegant and understated example. There are minor restorations to the cornice mouldings and the old finish has been repolished. William and Samuel Jones practiced in the Holborn Hill area of London from about 1787, when their father John died and left them the business, until about 1805, and later in the High Holborn area. They were very technically accomplished, William in his younger years having worked for both Benjamin Martin and George Adams. This instrument was probably made in the 1794-1805 period of their practice. 40 Inches high |
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Francis Amadio, Sr.,
Optical, Mathematical and Philosophical Instrument Maker,
began his practice at the address on this instrument, 118
St. John St. Road, about 1800. He was joined by his son,
Francis Jr., within a very few years and the firm then generally
used the name F. Amadio & Son until at least 1844.
The Amadio name carried on until at least 1865. The
Amadio workshops were respected for the high quality of their
instruments as demonstrated by the fine inlay and engraving
on this dial barometer. It features a good low scroll cornice, adjustable
hygrometer, removable Fahrenheit thermometer,
and a profusely
engraved main dial. The case, veneered in mahogany,
is outlined by a triple line of boxwood and ebony stringing
and accented
by lily-of-the-valley inlays. There is some restoration
to the cornice and minor repairs to the stringing.
Circa 1810 |
 19th Century mahogany ship's barometer
by Spencer, Browning & Co., London Spencer, Browning & Co. is one of the most recognized names in the 19th century production of instruments in general, and barometers in particular. This is a good and clean example, probably made for use by the Royal Navy or merchant marine. The case is mahogany with brass trim and engraved ivory register plates, and the gimbal is a correct replacement for the original. There is one small repair to the wood of the case, and the finish was recently repolished. The brass frames for the glazing and the ivory plates are all in very good condition; clean, clear and legible. The ivory set knob and mercury thermometer also appear to be original. The mercury system is correct for a marine instrument and old, and the cistern is marked as having been serviced in the shops of Joseph Somalvico in London, 1916. William Spencer and Samuel Browning founded the firm known as Spencer & Browning in 1781, and in 1784 were joined by Ebenezer Rust, amd the company was renamed Spencer, Browning and Rust. They continued under this name until Rust's death in 1840, then again renamed the firm Spencer Browning & Co., terminating about 1873. This barometer has the 111 Minories address, and should date about 1840-1850. Circa 1840-50 |
George III period dial barometer by L
Donegan & Co., London.
This early dial barometer
is beautifully made, with the short
shoulders below the cornice and the wide, graceful curve
of the case next to the thermometer box that mark it as Georgian. The
four inlays are of the fan style rather than the later shell
and flowers form, and the case is outlined with checkered
stringing of boxwood and ebony. Sides are crossbanded. The thermometer
plate is graduated in the Fahrenheit scale and decorated
with foliage engraving at the top. The weather
dial is finely engraved with a large compass star in
the center. There is some minor restoration to the
stringing and the finish has been repolished. Circa 1810 |
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This is a form of stick barometer unique to the far northeastern
section of England, with a flat front and access to the mercury
system through the back of the case. The very nicely made case
is faced with a panel of figured mahogany, and outlined with
mahogany crossbanding and checkered boxwood and ebony stringing.
The sides of the case are also crossbanded rather than veneered
along the length. The nicely engraved and silvered
register plates are decorated with a fabric swag at the top and full
weather indications. The sliding pointer is a restoration.
The circular cistern area is inlaid
with a stylized chrysanthemum, similar to dial barometers of the same period. Color is a warm
light brown, with a recent polish. Circa 1800-1810
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Samuel Lainton is well known to barometer collectors for his angle barometers. This stick is in a similar vein, using a large mahogany case with exuberant carving and printed paper register plates. Both case and plates are very original and in excellent condition. The finish is old and well preserved. There are no restorations beyond a cleaning and wax on the finish. Samuel Lainton practiced in Halifax from approximately
1820 to 1850. Charles Howorth, of the same city, made nearly
identical barometers in the same period. It is not known who
the principal manufacturer of the two was, and it does not
appear that they were in partnership. Circa 1840
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This fine 8-inch dial barometer has several design features that date it very close to the turn of the 19th century. The smooth curves of the case and its, the design of the dial's engraving with the weather indications around the outside, the short shoulders at the cornice, and the very flat angle to the cornice mouldings all are signs of early production in a dial barometer. The use of a separate set knob and rack system are not usually found in eight inch dial barometers that date into the later Regency Period. The instrument is signed C. Pitsala & Co., London, for Charles Pitsalla, working 1800-1820 at 221 High Holborn, London. Barometers signed just "C. Pitsalla" and "C. Pitsalla & Co. are known from the same period. 39.5 Inches high, 10.5 inches
wide |
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Makers working in England’s
late Georgian Period produced some of the most elegant
barometers of any time. Forms are clean and graceful, and
handsome decorative inlays and stringing were used. This
is one such example made by J M Ronketi. The glazed
door over the silvered
register plate is shaped at the lower edge to
merge smoothly with the slim trunk of the case, and boxwood
and ebony checkered stringing surrounds the door and runs
in a double line down the sides of the trunk. The color
is nicely mellowed to a soft brown. There is an old repair
to the cistern cover, which is original. 38.5“ High, 5.25” Wide (cornice) |
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A glass plate protects the paper scales, and a manual pointer on a wire slider sets the reading. Ripple moulding decorates the pediment. The mercury system uses a bulb cistern. The scales are Parisian inches, which are 1.066 of an English inch, and divided into twelfths. No maker's name is shown, simply the location KJÖBENHAVN, and the standard weather indications, rendered in Danish:
Circa 1860-1880 |
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This is one of the first of the “Sheraton Shell” barometers, with the conch shell and flower inlays that were just coming into fashion. It has the late 18th century form of case, with the short shoulders below the cornice, crossbanded sides, checkered stringing, and the wide, graceful curve of the case through the thermometer section. The thermometer plate is graduated in the Fahrenheit scale and decorated with foliage engraving at the top. The weather dial is engraved with the weather indications at the outer perimeter, a convention that changed in the next few years. The finish is old and in very good condition, and there has been some minor restoration to the stringing and the cornice mouldings. Banfield lists Joseph Gafurio as practicing in the city of Chester from 1810 to 1830. Instruments are known signed both Joseph Gafurio, as this one is, and Gafurio and Company. 39" high, 10" wide |
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American dial barometers are few in number, and are mostly in the dial sizes of eight inches and larger. This particular one has a smaller dial of only six inches in diameter. The secondary wood in the case appears to be poplar, and the veneer and mouldings are mahogany. The dial is nicely engraved with a flowing script used for all the weather indications except Change. The red spirit thermometer is graduated in Fahrenheit only. While the instrument is unsigned by any maker, we are attributing it to Lewis Smith of New York, who worked in New York City in the early to mid 19th century. The half-round top and bottom of the case are a distinct barometer style produced by Smith's workshops. 37" long, 8" wide |
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A fine mahogany stick barometer in the classic bowfront form with an urn-shaped cistern cover. The case is veneered with fine flame mahogany on the trunk, set off by ebony mouldings and inlays. Engraved and silvered brass register plates bear Newman's signature and Regent Street address. The mercury thermometer is graduated in the Fahrenheit scale and uses a pierced brass shield to protect the bulb. The mercury system uses a boxwood cistern and an unusually large tube. Restorations include the set knob and bowed glass over the thermometer. John Frederick Newman, Optical, Mathematical and Philosophical Instrument Maker, worked in London from 1816 to 1862 and was the leading scientific barometer maker of his day, supplying standard and portable barometers for the Ross Antarctic expedition (1839-1843) and others. Many of his portable "mountain barometers" survive today. He worked at 122 Regent Street at the time this barometer was made, and some time after 1850 the firm became Newman and Son. It was absorbed by Negretti and Zambra in 1862. 39" high |
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