19th Century Stick Barometer
A 19th century stick barometer offers precise atmospheric measurement housed in a tall, elegant wooden case that anchors a hallway.
19th Century Stick Barometer
A 19th century stick barometer stands as a tall, narrow instrument designed to measure atmospheric pressure through a column of mercury enclosed in glass. The form emerged across Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods, often taking a straight or bow-fronted profile.
Makers housed these sensitive tubes in rich woods such as mahogany, rosewood, oak and burr walnut. Buyers frequently encounter examples bearing makers' names from London, provincial cities and continental workshops.
Materials and construction
Cases combine solid timbers like mahogany, oak, rosewood and walnut, sometimes accented with burr veneers or inlay. Glass protects the column and the silvered metal or paper scale plates.
Brass fittings secure the mechanism, while bone or ivory components occasionally appear on vernier scales and dials. Mercury fills the internal tube to respond to barometric pressure shifts.
19th Century Stick Barometer Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for 19th century stick barometer among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature mahogany, rosewood, oak, burr walnut, burr yew and burr maple cases housing mercury tubes.
Judgements of quality
The choice of cabinet timber dictates much of the visual merit, with figured grains, curl mahogany and burr walnut sitting above plain utility woods. Finer architectural details, such as bow-fronted glazing and crisp bone scale engravings, separate standard pieces from workshop masterpieces.
The reputation of the maker inscribed on the silvered metal plate heavily influences standing. Signed instruments by known London or regional makers carry distinct provenance compared to anonymous examples.
JB Bergna·Prada of High Wycombe·Bate·Ciresa of Milan·S. P. Cohen·Corti of Exeter·Malacrida of Dublin·Keen and Frodsham·Matthew Berge·Charles Baker·Tagliaue and Torre·Girolimo·Dolland·Lehours·Somalvico
The 19th Century Stick Barometer Glossary
- Stick barometer
- An instrument measuring atmospheric pressure via a vertical column of mercury in a glass tube. The upright wooden trunk distinguishes it from banjo and wheel barometers.
- Silvered metal
- A brass or copper plate treated with a silver solution to provide a contrasting metallic surface for engraved numbers and weather inscriptions. These scales catch the light clearly behind glass.
- Vernier
- A small sliding scale device used on the barometer face to read fractional parts of the barometric scale accurately. It allows precise observation of air pressure changes.
- Bow-fronted
- A cabinet design featuring a curved glass door or protruding convex front panel. This shape adds depth and sophistication to the instrument case.
- Admiral Fitzroy barometer
- A specific multi-scale barometer pattern introduced later in the period, incorporating detailed weather instructions and thermometer readings alongside the primary mercury tube.
19th Century Stick Barometer: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I read a stick barometer?
Read the height of the mercury column against the engraved scale plate, noting whether the meniscus sits higher or lower than the previous observation. Changes in this height indicate shifting weather patterns.
Utilise the sliding vernier scale to measure exact fractions of pressure units for precise record keeping.
Where should I hang my barometer?
Mount the instrument securely on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, radiators and heavy vibrations. Hallways and studies provide stable temperature environments that suit the wooden case.
Ensure the trunk hangs strictly plumb so the mercury tube remains vertical and functions accurately.
Did all barometers include thermometers?
Many examples paired a mercury barometer tube with an adjacent thermometer mounted on the same backboard or trunk. This allowed observers to account for temperature expansion when reading pressure.
Simpler models omitted the thermometer entirely, focusing solely on the barometric column.
How do I identify the period?
Examine the cabinet style, wood selection and construction methods alongside any maker signature on the silvered plate. Georgian and Regency pieces often show clean architectural lines and figured mahogany.
Victorian iterations frequently introduce heavier carving, burr walnut veneers or specialised Admiral Fitzroy layouts.