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Fine 19th century mahogany bowfront stick barometer by Andrew Ross & Co., London The bowfront form in good stick barometers by native English makers remained popular well into the first half of the 19th century, and this is a high-quality example with silvered register plates. The case is set off by good flame mahogany veneers, ebony stringing and inlays, and ivory paterae on the cornice mouldings. The mercury thermometer is removable, and uses a Fahrenheit scale. The mercury system is a large capacity tube with boxwood cistern and closing screw. The ivory set knob appears to be original. Andrew Ross, Mathematical and Philosophical Instrument Maker, worked at the address on this instrument, 33 Regent Street, from approximately 1837 to 1842, and instruments by him were signed Ross & Co. 40 Inches high Circa 1840 $9,500 No. 1645

Regency Period mahogany bowfront stick barometer by Worthington & Allan, London. This is a fine mahogany bowfront barometer of the "flat-to-the-wall" form, so called because the cistern is offset to the front of the case, eliminating the need to add spacers to the rear side, and thereby presenting a cleaner line to the eye. It is very finely made, with a fine mahogany flame to the front of the case and solid ebony trim and inlays throughout. The mercury thermometer is graduated in the Fahrenheit and Reaumur scales. There is a minor repair to the mouldings around the cistern area. The barometer is signed Worthington & Allan, Late Berge, London; they practiced at 196 Piccadilly from about 1821 to 1846. It would appear that Worthington & Allan took over the business of the eminent Matthew Berge (successor to Jesse Ramsden), at 199 Piccadilly, who died in 1819. Possibly they were part of Berge's staff, as the barometer is extremely well made, fully the quality of Berge's output. 38.5 Inches high Circa 1820-1825 SOLD No. 1646

Late George III Period ten inch dial barometer signed F. Amadio & Son, London 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 40.5 inches high, 12 inches wide $11,500.00 No. 1647

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. L. Donegan & Co. are listed by Banfield as practicing at No. 3 Long Lane in London from roughly 1815 to 1835.  This barometer is a few years earlier than those dates, probably about 1810.  Circa 1810  39" high, 10.25" wide $6,500 No. 1630

Mid-19th Century rope-twist carved mahogany marine barometer by C.W. Dixey, London Carved English marine barometers first began to appear around the late 1830s. Edwin Banfield, in his book on stick barometers, notes that they were made not only for use on ships, but for display in homes as well, presumably for patrons associated with the shipping business or ship building, or for private yachts and flagships in the British Navy. Of those barometers, the most desirable form is the mahogany case carved to resemble a length of cable, or the "rope-twist" motif. These were expensive instruments when they were made, with their ivory register plates and fine brass mounts. This barometer, made by the firm of Charles W. Dixey in the 1840-1850 period, is a good example. The circular pediment with its deep fluted carving is almost restrained, compared to others of the period. A band of foliate carving sits just atop the brass gimbal, then the rope-twist case terminates in an acanthus carved section and a gadrooned ring just above the brass cistern cover. The ivory register plates carry Dixey's name and address, and the mercury Fahrenheit/Reaumur thermometer is likewise on an ivory plate. The mercury system uses the three-piece marine form of boxwood cistern on threaded mounts, and the mercury tube is constricted to prevent surging in rolling seas. Restorations are limited to cleaning and waxing the finish, cleaning the brass of any corrosion, and a replacement gimbal assembly. The Dixey family business originated in the third quarter of the 18th century with Edward Dixey. His son, Charles Wastell Dixey practiced at 3 New Bond Street, London, the address on this instrument, from 1838 to 1862. In 1863, the name of the company changed to C.W. Dixey and Son and continued well into the 20th century. The engraving on this barometer states Opticians to the Queen, indicating a date of post 1837 when Victoria ascended to the Throne. Dixey also produced instruments for many of England's 19th century nobility. Circa 1840-1850 39" high SOLD No. 1637

Mid-Regency Period Mahogany ten-inch dial barometer with inlays, by Charles Ganna, London This is a somewhat unusual form of dial barometer, and one which London makers produced in both eight and ten inch sizes. It uses an architectural cornice rather than the more usual scroll or swan neck, and conch shell inlays either side of the thermometer. It is very nicely made with some unusual touches such as the stringing around the thermometer box and has the good and graceful lines of the earlier dial barometers. The dial center is engraved with a handsome compass star. The brass finial and some minor cornice moulding work are the only restorations. The level plate is signed Chs Ganna, 19 Dean St., Holborn. Charles Ganna is not listed in the usual dictionaries of instrument and clock makers, but the work in the barometer is in the same league as the high-quality Somalvico or Dollond workshops at this period. Circa 1815-1820 42.5" high, 12.5" wide $6,000.00 No. 1594

Regency Period mahogany stick barometer by Watkins of Bristol This is a very clean and crisp example of the Regency Period glazed-door stick barometer by a leading maker of the time in the city of Bristol. The silvered brass register plate carries the weather indications and the Fahrenheit spirit thermometer. The trunk is veneered in the V-shaped 'herringbone pattern'. Mercury system is a bulb cistern glass tube. Restorations include some minor work to the cornice and a replaced cistern cover. The finish is recently repolished. The instrument is signed Watkins, Clare Street, Bristol. We believe this is William Watkins, practicing at this address prior to his move about 100 yards away to 16, St. Augustine's Parade at about 1830 or so. Watkins is listed by Banfield as Optical and Mathematical Instrument Maker (Optician), working as late as 1840. 38.5" high Circa 1820-1830 SOLD No. 1623

George III period dial barometer signed Frans Prola, Liverpool This early dial barometer has the short shoulders below the cornice, the graceful curve of the case around the thermometer box and the cross banded side veneers typical of Georgian period dial barometers. Unusual fan inlays decorate the case, which is outlined with triple lines of boxwood and ebony stringing. The weather dial is finely engraved, and has horizontal weather indications, a format seldom seen after 1800. The thermometer plate is graduated in the Fahrenheit scale. There is some minor restoration to the cornice and the finish has been repolished. Signed Frans Prola, Liverpool, this barometer was made prior to the Regency Period. Circa 1800-1805 39 Inches high, 10.25 Inches wide $6,600.00

Regency Period mahogany barometer by Watkins and Hill, London The mahogany case has a moulded pediment, highly figured veneers, and ebony stringing (in memory, it is said, of Lord Nelson). The silvered brass register plate is engraved with the makers' names, and the three weather indications follow the simpler version proposed by George Adams in 1790. An ivory knob operates the rack vernier. A long mercury thermometer is mounted on the case in a detachable box; its engraved plate has dual Fahrenheit and Reaumur scales ranging from 0 to 120 degrees F. The turned cistern cover protects the boxwood cistern whose closing screw is operated by the vernier knob. The partnership of Watkins and Hill was formed in 1819, when Jeremiah Watkins took on a descendant of Nathaniel Hill. They practiced at 5 Charing Cross, London. Circa 1825 38" High, 5.25" Wide (Cornice) SOLD No. 1626