Beschreibung:

A fine George III mahogany bowfronted mercury stick barometer Troughton, London, circa 1820 With swan neck pediment above silvered vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches and with the usual weather observations beneath signature Troughton, London to upper margin within moulded surround for the curved glass, the flame figured trunk of bowed profile and with ebony strung edges with convex throat moulding and vernier adjustment screw to upper section, the base with turned ebony half vase cistern cover flanked by lozenge inlaid canted angles with level adjustment to the cavetto moulded underside, (glass lacking), 100cm (39.5ins) high. The current lot was probably made by Edward Troughton who is recorded in Clifton, Gloria Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 as first working in partnership with his brother, John from several addresses in London (including Queen's Square, Bartholemew and 136 Fleet Street) from 1788 until John's death in 1804. Edward continued alone from their Fleet Street address until 1826 when he formed a partnership with William Simms which lasted until after Troughton's death in 1831. Edward Troughton was apparently quite a character choosing to live a semi-reclusive life and was characterised by his snuff-stained wig and ear trumpet! However his skill both in the manufacture and design of fine instruments led him to be awarded lucrative contracts from The East India Company, The Board of Ordnance, the Royal Observatory and The Board of Longitude. Condition report disclaimer