What is a barocyclonometer and how was it used?

Invented in the late nineteenth century, a barocyclonometer is a specialised marine aneroid barometer combined with a cyclone directional indicator. It was designed primarily for mariners in the Far East to detect pressure drops and determine the direction and distance of approaching tropical cyclones or typhoons.

What materials are typically used in cased marine barometers?

Traditional cased marine instruments feature heavy brass bezels, lacquered brass components, silvered dial plates, and calibrated steel or brass pointers. The housing boxes are constructed from dense hardwoods such as mahogany or teak with fitted brass hinges to withstand humid maritime environments.

How do you identify an authentic early twentieth-century barocyclonometer?

Authentic examples feature dual dials: an aneroid barometer mechanism with a typhoon scale on the main dial, and a rotatable cyclone template dial in the lid. Look for period maker markings, engraved silvered dials rather than printed reproductions, and period-correct brass hinges and hooks on the mahogany box.

How can an antique cased barometer be styled in a modern interior?

A cased maritime instrument serves as an intellectual focal point on an office desk, bookshelf, or sideboard in a study or living space. Displaying the wooden box open highlights the mechanical details, pairing effectively with dark timber, leather accessories, and curated scientific antiques.

How should an antique cased weather instrument be preserved and cleaned?

Keep the instrument away from direct sunlight, extreme humidity, and high heat sources to prevent timber movement and brass oxidisation. Clean the wooden casing with a soft cloth and beeswax polish, while gently wiping glass surfaces with a dry microfibre cloth without applying liquid cleaners to the internal dials.

for sale €4,095 $4,445

£3,500

Jason Clarke Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2015

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Nautical Weather Gauge

Antique Brass Barometer

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Id #SA725153

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Early Twentieth Century Cased Barocyclonometer or Typhoon Barometer

Name: Early Twentieth Century Cased Barocyclonometer or Typhoon Barometer
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA725153
Price: 3500 GBP
Availability: InStock

1900 - 1920

For Sale by Jason Clarke Antiques

Description

For sale, a rare early Twentieth Century mahogany cased Typhoon barometer of barocyclonometer.

This fascinating instrument is comprised of a seven inch silvered dual ring dial within a very robust nine inch brass case measuring ten centimetres in depth. The barometer is screwed to the base of the mahogany transit case. The inner lid contains a second dial which is employed as a wind disc or cyclometer to be used in conjunction with the barometer when a storm is identified.

The inner barometer dial has a scale measuring 27.7 to 31.9 inches of barometric pressure with an outer ring which can be turned by manipulation of the outer brass bezel and contains numerous instructions for the setting of the barometer against the scale to gain accurate measurement against both position and time of year.

Perhaps the best description of its use if described in 1913 edition of “popular mechanics where it is described as follows:

“A Barocyclonemeter, an instrument which indicates the position of the centre of a cyclone at a distance of several hundred miles and permits the calculation of the direction in which the riot of wind is moving.

Cyclones, typhoons and other storms tend to move spirally towards a vortex. The delicate instrument, which is a combination of the aneroid barometer and the cyclonometer, will enable the captain of a vessel to learn not only where the centre of a cyclonic area is located, but also in what direction the destructive centre of the storm is moving. Around the dial of the barometer which is graduated in English and metric units, is a movable ring, which first must be set according to directions engraved on its lower half. These have reference to varying zones of latitiude and seasons, for each of which there is a definite pressure above which the conditions may be considered normal, that is, no cyclone within 500 miles need be feared. The ring is turned until a red arrow – that to the right of the segment marked “variable” – points to this normal pressure. If the barometer needle is to the left of the red arrow, the vessel must lie within a cyclonic area. The proximity of a storm being thus ascertained, the cyclometer, by proper setting of its moveable parts in conjunction with mathematical formulas and tables, will furnish a means of determining in which direction the storm centre lies from the ship and in which direction it travels.”

This example has never contained a secondary pointer as described above but the principles are the same. Effectively, the barometer provides the warning signal of dangerous weather conditions and if encountered, the cyclometer contained within the lid will provide guidance for avoiding the most destructive forces of the storm.

The inventor of this fascinating instrument (and also the nephroscope) was the Jesuit priest Jose Maria Algue (1856 – 1930) who worked as a meteorologist in the Observatory of Manila and released his first publication on his instrument in 1898. His work in the field earnt him an honorary membership of The Royal Society and the Pontificia Accademia Romana and the US Navy eventually adopted the barocyclometer as a standard in their warships around the start of the First World War.

His original work and description of the barocyclonometer can be found at the following site:

https://archive.org/stream/cyclonesfareast00algugoog#page/n223/mode/2up/search/baro

A very seldom seen barometer which will make a stunning centrepiece for a collection even in less tumultuous climates! Circa 1914

Physical Dimensions

Height

14cm (5.51")

Width

27.5cm (10.83")

Depth

27.5cm (10.83")

Declaration

Jason Clarke Antiques has dated this Antique Cased Typhoon Barometer to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA725153

Description

For sale, a rare early Twentieth Century mahogany cased Typhoon barometer of barocyclonometer.

“

This fascinating instrument is comprised of a seven inch silvered dual ring dial within a very robust nine inch brass case measuring ten centimetres in depth.

Jason Clarke Antiques

The barometer is screwed to the base of the mahogany transit case. The inner lid contains a second dial which is employed as a wind disc or cyclometer to be used in conjunction with the barometer when a storm is identified.

fig 1. An early twentieth-century barocyclonometer housed in a hinged mahogany box, featuring a circular brass typhoon barometer in the lower section and a directional cyclone dial mounted in the upper lid. — fig 1. Early Twentieth Century Cased Barocyclonometer or Typhoon Barometer

The inner barometer dial has a scale measuring 27.7 to 31.9 inches of barometric pressure with an outer ring which can be turned by manipulation of the outer brass bezel and contains numerous instructions for the setting of the barometer against the scale to gain accurate measurement against both position and time of year.

fig 2. An early twentieth-century barocyclonometer housed in a hinged mahogany box, featuring a circular brass typhoon barometer in the lower section and a directional cyclone dial mounted in the upper lid. — fig 2. Early Twentieth Century Cased Barocyclonometer or Typhoon Barometer

Perhaps the best description of its use if described in 1913 edition of “popular mechanics where it is described as follows:

“A Barocyclonemeter, an instrument which indicates the position of the centre of a cyclone at a distance of several hundred miles and permits the calculation of the direction in which the riot of wind is moving.

fig 3. An early twentieth-century barocyclonometer housed in a hinged mahogany box, featuring a circular brass typhoon barometer in the lower section and a directional cyclone dial mounted in the upper lid. — fig 3. Early Twentieth Century Cased Barocyclonometer or Typhoon Barometer

Cyclones, typhoons and other storms tend to move spirally towards a vortex. The delicate instrument, which is a combination of the aneroid barometer and the cyclonometer, will enable the captain of a vessel to learn not only where the centre of a cyclonic area is located, but also in what direction the destructive centre of the storm is moving. Around the dial of the barometer which is graduated in English and metric units, is a movable ring, which first must be set according to directions engraved on its lower half. These have reference to varying zones of latitiude and seasons, for each of which there is a definite pressure above which the conditions may be considered normal, that is, no cyclone within 500 miles need be feared. The ring is turned until a red arrow – that to the right of the segment marked “variable” – points to this normal pressure. If the barometer needle is to the left of the red arrow, the vessel must lie within a cyclonic area. The proximity of a storm being thus ascertained, the cyclometer, by proper setting of its moveable parts in conjunction with mathematical formulas and tables, will furnish a means of determining in which direction the storm centre lies from the ship and in which direction it travels.”

fig 4. An early twentieth-century barocyclonometer housed in a hinged mahogany box, featuring a circular brass typhoon barometer in the lower section and a directional cyclone dial mounted in the upper lid. — fig 4. Early Twentieth Century Cased Barocyclonometer or Typhoon Barometer

This example has never contained a secondary pointer as described above but the principles are the same. Effectively, the barometer provides the warning signal of dangerous weather conditions and if encountered, the cyclometer contained within the lid will provide guidance for avoiding the most destructive forces of the storm.

fig 5. An early twentieth-century barocyclonometer housed in a hinged mahogany box, featuring a circular brass typhoon barometer in the lower section and a directional cyclone dial mounted in the upper lid. — fig 5. Early Twentieth Century Cased Barocyclonometer or Typhoon Barometer

The inventor of this fascinating instrument (and also the nephroscope) was the Jesuit priest Jose Maria Algue (1856 – 1930) who worked as a meteorologist in the Observatory of Manila and released his first publication on his instrument in 1898. His work in the field earnt him an honorary membership of The Royal Society and the Pontificia Accademia Romana and the US Navy eventually adopted the barocyclometer as a standard in their warships around the start of the First World War.