JOSEPH MOLTEN, AMSTERDAM. FOURTH QUARTER 18TH CENTURY

Details

A fine Dutch carved mahogany and brass-mounted contra-bakbarometer
Joseph Molten, Amsterdam. Fourth quarter 18th century
The case with triangular pediment surmounted by urn and cornucopia demi carvings, the canted cornice angles below applied with grotesque masks, the glazed door flanked by fluted half columns with brass Composite capitals, the top of the door draped with laurel swag carvings, the lower case with projecting canted angles and with carved demi terminals conforming to the finials above, the silvered and engraved register plates with central Torricelli type tube, flanked by Huygens type contra tube with mercury and coloured oil, with mercury thermometer to the left, its moulded cistern rising from leafy sprig engraving on the plates, with further engraving on banners above BAROMETER CONTROLEUER en THERMOMETER/Door Joseph Molten Amsterdam,
135cm. high

Literature

Illustrated, Bert Bolle, Barometers in Beeld, Lochem, 1983, fig.240, pp.107 & 237

Special notice

Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 23.205% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €110,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €110,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 23.205% of the first €110,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €110,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually.

Lot Essay

Joseph Molten was born Giuseppe Moltono in Bern in 1746. In about 1765 he moved to Amsterdam and set up his barometer shop on the corner of Voorburgwal and Lijnbaansteeg.
The present barometer by Molten is particularly notable for its impressive proportions and the particularly elaborate and well executed carving.

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