Lot Essay
John Hallifax, 1695-1750, was apparently born in Hallifax and moved to Barnsely; he had six children, three of whom became clockmakers. Being a clockmaker by trade did not automatically mean he made barometers as well, however Hallifax was unquestionably a fine quality 'provincial clockmaker' with wealthy clients. Each of his barometers have distinct characteristics such as boxwood and ebony line-inlay or feather-banding as in the present example. Their size can also vary considerably ranging from 45 in. up to 70 in. high. Despite these variations his barometers all conformed to the peculiar format modelled on longcase clocks. The glazed door covering the register dial is purposely difficult to access to keep out prying hands. As a result of this security, rather than have a recording hand on the main dial with an adjustment knob rigged on the outside, (viz Quare's system employing the finials, see lot 153) Hallifax designed a completely separate recording dial halfway down the trunk.
A similar barometer was sold in these Rooms, 4 July 1996, lot 256, and another was sold from the Samuel Messer Collection, also in these Rooms, 5 December, 1991, lot 12.
Nicholas Goodison, English Barometers and their Makers 1650-1860, London, 1969, pp. 145-49, pl. 84 illustrates a similar example but with boxwood and ebony line inlay and applied rather than engraved spandrels.
A similar barometer was sold in these Rooms, 4 July 1996, lot 256, and another was sold from the Samuel Messer Collection, also in these Rooms, 5 December, 1991, lot 12.
Nicholas Goodison, English Barometers and their Makers 1650-1860, London, 1969, pp. 145-49, pl. 84 illustrates a similar example but with boxwood and ebony line inlay and applied rather than engraved spandrels.