Antiquary & Expert CNES

An exceptional scientific and decorative instrument

This large, monumental barometer-thermometer , measuring 1.50 m in height , is a remarkable example of the decorative and scientific art of the early 19th century. Made of carved and gilded wood , it stands out for its elegance and its unusual format, reserved for prestigious interiors.

The frame features refined ornamentation inspired by neoclassical :

• a ribbon 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 in the lower part, reinforcing the decorative richness.

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

This object combines two measuring instruments:

• The mercury barometer , with its graduated scale in French, bearing the words "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 the weather.
• The thermometer , with its glass tube graduated in Réaumur degrees (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 much utilitarian as they were prestigious , demonstrating the interest in science in aristocratic and cultured bourgeois circles.

Historical context

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

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

• Old gilding, patina of use, wear consistent with age.
• Graduated dial partially erased but legible.
• Untested instruments, sold as collectibles and decoration .

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 ceremonial wall piece of furniture , reflecting the refined taste of the French elites of the early 19th century.