A GEORGE II MAHOGANY STICK BAROMETER by F. Watkins, London, signed on the silvered barometer scale, with alcohol fahrenheit thermometer below an engraved rosette, the case with pierced rockwork cresting above confronting C-scrolls and acanthus, the sides carved with trailing fruit and flowerheads, the later cistern bulb carved with acanthus, minor loss to cresting, restoration to mercury reservoir, with label on reverse for Temple Newsam exhibition

Details

A GEORGE II MAHOGANY STICK BAROMETER by F. Watkins, London, signed on the silvered barometer scale, with alcohol fahrenheit thermometer below an engraved rosette, the case with pierced rockwork cresting above confronting C-scrolls and acanthus, the sides carved with trailing fruit and flowerheads, the later cistern bulb carved with acanthus, minor loss to cresting, restoration to mercury reservoir, with label on reverse for Temple Newsam exhibition
41in.(104cm.)high

Exhibited

Temple Newsam House, Leeds, an exhibition of furniture by, and in the manner of Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779) June 8 - July 15, 1951, No.56, lent by Percy Dalton

Lot Essay

Francis Watkins (c.1723 - c.1784) was a leading instrument maker of the second half of the 18th Century and founded a business which continued until 1856. His shop was at Sir Isaac Newton's Head, 415 Charing Cross and from 1747-84 5 Charing Cross. A very similar barometer at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.A is illustrated N. Goodison, English Barometers 1680 - 1860, London, 1969, p.250., plate 153. This is also engraved with a rosette. Another, from the Mulliner Collection is illustrated R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1954, Rev. Ed., p.33, fig.21. One was sold in these Rooms 25 June 1987, lot 17.

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