Barometer Antique Admiral Fitzroy Victorian Mahogany

Description

Barometer, Antique, Mahogany and Oak cased, with Thermometer, Fitzroy Aneroid, made by Fattorini & Sons of Bradford, England

An unusually large and beautifully crafted, this late Victorian barometer features a mahogany and oak case, atmospheric gauge, and an enamelled thermometer. With a size of 115 cm x 25 x 8 cm, it’s a stunning piece of antique science equipment. The back opens to reveal a glass tube for refilling with a special liquid or coloured alcohol. Although the paper-lined backboard shows some wear, the wood has a lovely polished finish. This barometer is ready to be shipped, and the glass tube can be refilled for continued use.

(Please see an antique French thermometer filled with original alcohol in working order in my other listing, eBay item number:116014154969).

Most objects sold in our gallery are antiques, vintage or used; therefore, they will show signs of being antique, vintage or used. There may be signs of scratches, discolouration, chips, cracks, wear and tear, unknown manufacturers and/or patterns. Please see the photographs as they form part of the description.  Overseas buyers in some countries may be required to pay any import duties, taxes, or fees. All items are meticulously wrapped and prepared for both UK and international shipping. Please request the courier charges.

We strive to describe each item as accurately as possible, and photographs form an essential part of the item description. Please review them carefully before making a purchase. Please note that no mercury or liquids will be included in the item as it is prohibited for transport. Leans Gallery does not guarantee the working of Clocks, Music Boxes and Barometers. Any qualified local horologist can refill or service the instrument with ease.

Note: Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy FRS (5 July 1805 – 30 April 1865) was an English officer of the Royal Navy and a scientist. He achieved lasting fame as the captain of HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin’s famous voyage, FitzRoy’s second expedition to Tierra del Fuego and the Southern Cone. FitzRoy was a pioneering meteorologist who made accurate daily weather predictions, which he called by a new name of his invention: “forecasts”. In 1854, he established what would later be called the Met Office and created systems to get weather information to sailors and fishermen for their safety. He was an able surveyor and hydrographer. As Governor of New Zealand, serving from 1843 to 1845, he tried to protect the Māori from illegal land sales claimed by British settlers.

This remarkable device is used to measure atmospheric pressure changes as an indicator of changes in the weather. Today, weather stations around the world use stick barometers for accurate forecasting. For those of us who love nostalgia, an antique barometer provides the same information in a masterfully crafted case.

Evangelista Torricelli is credited with inventing the first barometer in 1643. A physician and mathematician, Torricelli had moved to Florence to assist Galileo. While performing various experiments concerning the nature of air and vacuums, he uncovered the basic principle of the barometer design. Furthermore, he used mercury in his vacuum experiments and discovered that the height of the mercury, which changed from day to day, was related to changes in atmospheric pressure. Soon, his principles were accepted by scientists throughout the continent.