Brass Mounted Barometer
A brass mounted barometer measures atmospheric pressure while bringing polished metal bezels, dials, and fittings into domestic or scientific spaces.
Brass Mounted Barometer
A brass mounted barometer combines scientific utility with cabinetmaking, appearing chiefly in wall-hanging forms from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian eras. These instruments measure air pressure changes to indicate weather patterns using mercury or aneroid mechanisms housed inside timber cases.
The most common versions met on this page are banjo and stick barometers, alongside wall barometers and marine instruments. Cases take the form of domestic wall hangings or scientific apparatus, constructed from timbers like mahogany, oak, walnut, and rosewood.
Origins span British workshops as well as Continental European centres, including Black Forest, Scandinavian, and Italian makers who settled in Britain. Pieces range from domestic hall furnishings to specialised marine and desk instruments.
How they were made
Makers housed sensitive glass tubes and metal dials within dense cabinet timbers such as mahogany, rosewood, walnut, and oak. These woods were turned, carved, or veneered, then polished to protect the grain and frame the instrument face.
Brass formed the bezels, cistern covers, gimbals, and scale plates, often finished with engraved silvered metal dials. Mercury filled the glass siphon tubes in traditional stick models, while aneroid movements relied on flexible metal capsules connected to indicator needles.
Brass Mounted Barometer Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for brass mounted 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.
Some models squeeze time and weather together into a single wall hanging, doubling as coat racks.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the precision of the scale engraving, the crispness of the brass castings, and the selection of cabinet timbers. Fine examples display detailed dial inscriptions, clean hand-cut lettering, and well-figured grain matching the period aesthetic.
The sophistication of the internal mechanism separates standard domestic models from precision scientific instruments intended for marine or observatory use. Original components and signed movements elevate a piece above unmarked workshop alternatives.
Fagioli of Clerkenwell London·Bate of London·Sandrino of Liverpool·Negretti & Zambra London·Gilbert London·Ciresa of Milan·Corti of Exeter·Malacrida of Dublin·George Dollond of London·Stebbing & Son of Portsmouth
The Brass Mounted Barometer Glossary
- Barometer
- An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure to forecast weather changes. Traditional versions use mercury columns, while aneroid variants use a sealed metal capsule.
- Stick barometer
- A tall, narrow wall instrument holding a vertical glass tube filled with mercury. This form provides a direct reading of barometric height.
- Banjo barometer
- A domestic wall barometer featuring a rounded top and an expanded lower bulb shaped like a musical instrument. It frequently incorporates a thermometer and a hygrometer.
- Aneroid barometer
- A barometer operating without liquid, using an internal metallic vacuum capsule that expands or contracts with pressure shifts. This mechanism moves the dial pointer.
- Silvered metal
- A brass or copper dial plate coated with a thin layer of silver and engraved with graduations. This finish reduces glare and ensures legible markings.
Brass Mounted Barometer: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I read a stick barometer?
Read the height of the mercury column against the scale marked in inches or millimetres. Tap the instrument gently before reading to ensure the mercury moves freely.
Rising columns generally indicate improving weather, while falling levels suggest approaching storms or rain.
Where should I hang a wall barometer?
Hang the instrument on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, radiators, and draughts. Rapid temperature fluctuations can affect the mechanism.
Ensure the wall fixing supports the weight securely, particularly with heavier hardwood and brass models.
How do I tell a stick barometer from a banjo barometer?
A stick barometer is narrow and vertical, housing a straight glass tube within a simple timber trunk. It focuses purely on the mercury column.
A banjo barometer widens at the base and often includes multiple dials, thermometers, or hygrometers arranged on a shaped board.
Can antique barometers still predict the weather?
Many surviving barometers remain functional if the internal glass tubes and mercury columns are intact and sealed. Aneroid movements may require professional calibration against known pressure standards.
Even when uncalibrated, they serve as decorative scientific instruments reflecting historical craftsmanship.