Wood Stick Barometer
These wood stick barometer examples offer reliable atmospheric tracking, combining precision instrument engineering with fine cabinet-making.
Wood Stick Barometer
A wood stick barometer is a vertical weather-measuring instrument housed in a timber case, designed to display atmospheric pressure via a mercury column and silvered scale. When searching for a wood stick barometer, buyers encounter forms spanning from the early eighteenth century through to the Victorian era.
The selection here includes Georgian, Regency, and nineteenth-century pieces, alongside variations like the bow-fronted satinwood version and combined hall stands. Mahogany dominates the surviving examples, supported by walnut, oak, satinwood, and rosewood cases.
Architectural pediments and exposed cistern covers define the classic profile of these instruments. Makers ranged from provincial practitioners in Taunton, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Exeter to prominent London opticians and instrument makers.
Materials and construction
Cabinet-makers constructed the long cases using dense hardwoods such as mahogany and walnut, frequently incorporating veneers, boxwood, and ebony stringing for visual contrast. Satinwood and rosewood appear in select examples, showcasing fine timber selection across different periods.
The internal mechanics rely on mercury-filled glass tubes mounted beside engraved and silvered brass scales for reading barometric pressure. Brass fittings, including protective cistern covers, pointers, and architectural finials, complete the construction of each piece.
Wood Stick Barometer Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for wood 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 wood stick barometers spanning the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries, constructed in mahogany, walnut, oak, satinwood, and rosewood.
Factors of quality
The sophistication of the cabinet-making sets superior examples apart, particularly where cases feature bowed fronts, boxwood and ebony inlay, or architecturally inspired pediments. Maker signatures engraved onto the silvered brass scale elevate the standing of an instrument significantly.
Conservation of the original glass tube, mercury fill, and delicate brass vernier pointer contributes substantially to the integrity of the piece. The choice of figured timbers like burr walnut or satinwood distinguishes high-grade workshop production from standard utility items.
P. Caminada Taunton·George Adams London·Negretti & Zambra·Dollond of London·JB Bergna Newcastle·Alexander Wright·Sandrino of Liverpool·Gilbert London·S&B Solomons·Corti of Exeter
The Wood Stick Barometer Glossary
- Stick barometer
- A vertical instrument measuring atmospheric pressure through a mercury column enclosed in a long wooden case. These devices rely on a exposed or protected cistern at the base and a graduated scale near the top.
- Silvered brass
- A brass plate treated with a silver compound to create a matte white surface for engraved measurement scales. This technique ensures high legibility against the dark metal.
- Cistern
- The reservoir at the base of the barometer tube containing the reserve mercury. Enclosed boxwood or brass cistern covers often feature decorative shaping.
- Vernier scale
- A small sliding auxiliary scale used to obtain precise fractional readings from the main barometer scale. It allows accurate observation of minor pressure changes.
- Architectural top
- A pediment design on the upper case inspired by classical building facades, such as broken-scroll or triangular pediments. This styling is typical of eighteenth-century examples.
Wood Stick Barometer: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you read a wood stick barometer?
Read the instrument by noting the height of the mercury column against the silvered brass scale, using the sliding vernier pointer for precise measurements. Higher readings indicate fair weather, while falling levels suggest approaching storms.
Compare the current position with the secondary indicator pointer to see whether pressure is rising or falling since your last check.
Where should I hang a wood stick barometer?
Mount the instrument on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, central heating radiators, and draughty doors. Stable room temperatures ensure the wood case and mercury respond accurately to atmospheric changes alone.
Ensure the long timber case hangs completely plumb using a secure wall fixing to keep the delicate glass tube safe and upright.
Are these barometers still filled with mercury?
Many surviving examples retain their original mercury filling within the sealed glass tube and cistern system. Special care is required when transporting these instruments to prevent column separation or glass damage.
Some historical pieces have been professionally serviced and refilled to ensure they remain functional historical objects.