Lot Essay
John Patrick (fl.1686- circa 1720) of Ship Court in the Old Bailey, appears to be the first instrument-maker who specialized in making barometers, and earned a considerable reputation during his lifetime. An advertisement published by him circa 1710 shows an engraving of a diagonal barometer almost identical to the present lot (fig. 1). His angle barometers, according to the contemporary historian, Charles Leigh, were 'much more exact than any other'. A closely related figured-walnut angle barometer by John Patrick and now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is illustrated in N. Goodison, English Barometers 1680-1860, Woodbridge, rev.ed. 1977, p. 132, p.200. A further related angle barometer by Patrick was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 27 June 1985, lot 95.