Large Burr Walnut Art Deco Wall Aneroid Barometer by Short & Mason London

For sale, a large Art Deco period Burr Walnut Aneroid Wall Barometer by Short & Mason.

With an elegant and simple classical design, the barometer is presented on a square central section lavishly veneered in burr walnut. The five and a half inch silvered dial is unusually designed as a ring with open centre to give full exposure to the beautiful grain of the walnut. The dial reads for 28 to 31 inches of barometric pressure with standard weather indications in between and at the base the dual branding of Tycos and Short & Mason, London. It further states, Made in Great Britain.

The dial is surrounded by an oversized nine inch walnut bezel with glass front and pointer arm to the centre further accentuating the burr walnut veneers surrounding the outer ring of the dial. A very simple and effective idea which is highly unusual.

The central section is finished with a classical style pediment and graduated base comprised of walnut and burr walnut veneers.

The barometer measures, 39cms in height, 30cms wide and 6.5 cms deep.

The makers Short & Mason were formed by Thomas Watling Short & William James Mason in 1864 and were based in Hatton Garden, London. They were makers of barometers and scientific instruments but a significant part of their business was focused upon aneroid barometers and later barographs for which they had an unparalleled reputation by the end of the Nineteenth Century.

The partnership between the founders was dissolved at the turn of the century and the company was acquired by the US Company, Taylor Brothers who themselves had been in the business of scientific instrument making since 1851. Taylor Brothers benefited from the expertise that Short & Mason brought to the company and the instruments produced, were variously signed depending on which market the instrument was destined. In 1907, the US arm renamed itself The Taylor Instrument Company and began to use the brand name of, Tycos. This was eventually dropped in 1932 and the company reverted back to the Taylor name.

In the UK, Short & Mason moved from Hatton Garden to Walthamstow in 1910 and in 1921 lodged a copyright for a new means of forecasting the weather by observing changes in atmospheric pressure. Later in the twenties, a similar US copyright was taken out by Taylor Instruments who also sold the “Stormoguide” in America. Taylor Instruments eventually ceased the production of Short & Mason instruments in 1969 due to dwindling retail demand, the focus of the business was diverted thereafter to industrial applications.

An unusual and pleasing design for a wall aneroid barometer which has some interesting design elements such as the wooden bezel and the ring type dial. It can be confidently dated to between 1907 and 1932 due to the engraving of the Tycos brand on the dial.

Circa 1920