A Rare Dutch Contra-bakbarometer, 1802

Contact Kollenburg Antiquairs BV

Dealer

Kollenburg Antiquairs BV

Price

Price on request

Status

Available

Period

1802

Material

oak frame veneered with mahogany, ebony and satinwood.

Description

A “contrabak”-barometer in a very fine casing that is decorated in late Louis XVI style. The case is embellished with eight panels in “verre églomisé” [reverse mirror technique]. A number of these panels, as well as the door-panel, are framed in ribbons of ebony and satinwood marquetry. The top panel is decorated with “the all seeing eye”. The tympanum is topped with a carved vase decorated with laurels. The door is flanked by polished black columns with a base and capital in gilt brass. At the bottom are two finely cut knobs that are connected with a laurel festoon. The door is fitted on the right side with a trend indicator. The indicator scales are made of silver-plated brass. The central tube, as well as the counter-tube, shows a scale in inches combined with a “36-scale”. The center tube is additionally showing an indication in Rhineland inches and “Lb Amst”. The later indication stands for Amsterdam pounds defined as; gravity of the atmosphere on a square Rhineland foot. The counter-tube displays increased scale of 1:7 and is mounted in an aberrant – and never earlier documented – way. The tube is bend in such a way that it disappears behind the indicator scale, thus hiding the mercury column. Only the liquid tube is visible from the front. This way the columns are placed symmetrically on either side of the exceptionally long alcohol thermometer in the center. The thermometer has temperature scales in Fahrenheit and Reaumur. The unusual positioning of the siphon and the extraordinarily ornate housing with the verre églomisé panels make this barometer an artifact of museal class. Signature: The barometer is signed at the back: “Salaro & Butti 1802”