Antiquary & Expert CNES

An exceptional scientific and decorative instrument

This large, monumental barometer-thermometer , measuring 1.5 meters high , is a remarkable example of early 19th-century decorative and scientific art. Made of carved and gilded wood , it is distinguished by its elegance and unusual size, reserved for prestigious interiors.

The frame features refined ornamentation inspired by neoclassical :

• a ribboned bow at the top, a symbol of elegance and refinement,
• friezes of pearls and acanthus leaves , typical of the Empire and Restoration periods,
• leafy scrolls and a shell at the bottom, enhancing the decorative richness.

The gilding, old and patinated, reveals warm nuances that accentuate the relief of the sculpture.

This object combines two measuring instruments:

• The mercury barometer , with its graduated scale in French, bearing the inscription "Barometer according to Torricelli." Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647) was the first to demonstrate, in the 17th century, the principle of the mercury barometer. This type of barometer, still very popular in the 19th century, made it possible to predict weather patterns.
• The thermometer , equipped with its glass tube graduated in degrees Réaumur (scale invented in 1731 by René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur, commonly used in France until the middle of the 19th century before being replaced by the Celsius scale).

These instruments were as utilitarian as they were prestigious , demonstrating the interest in science among aristocratic and educated bourgeois circles.

Historical context

Dating from around 1810-1820 , this object belongs to the pivotal period between the Empire and the Restoration. It reflects a taste for balance and symmetry inspired by Antiquity, combined with a practical function serving scientific progress.

Models of this size (150 cm) were intended to adorn the living rooms, libraries, or galleries of grand residences. They reflect both social prestige and openness to new knowledge.

• Antique gilding, patina from use, wear consistent with age.
• Graduated dial partially erased but legible.
• Untested instruments, sold as collector's and decorative items .

With its exceptional dimensions and the quality of its gilding, this gilded wooden barometer-thermometer is much more than a simple scientific instrument: it is a showy wall piece , reflecting the refined taste of the French elites of the early 19th century.