Lot Essay
This barometer was almost certainly made by Peter Dollond (1730-1820), who is known to have signed his barometers simply 'Dollond London', probably as he worked with his father from 1752-1761 and then his brother John until 1766 (see E. Banfield, Barometer Makers and Retailers 1660-1900, Exeter, 1991, p. 70). Peter Dollond is recorded working in London at Vine Street, Spitalfields; Golden Spectacles and Sea Quadrant, near Exeter Exchange, Strand; 59 St. Paul's Churchyard; and finally 35 Haymarket. Born the son of John Dollond, a Huguenot silk-weaver, he was only twenty when he started in business as an optician, however, he soon demonstrated his brilliance as an instrument-maker and was appointed optician to George III.
The design of this 'contra' or 'bak' barometer is unusual as it follows the box-like form of Dutch barometers (the word 'bak' means box in Dutch), rather than the simple stick barometer shape usually adopted in the late eighteenth century in England. Perhaps Peter Dollond's Huguenot family connections led him to adopt this Dutch shape. Elements of the design are also Dutch in style, such as the chequer banding on the inner border of the case. A Dutch 'contra' barometer, by J. Waldi & Comp., Groningen, dating to the late eighteenth or early 19th century, with similar inlay and open pediment, was sold anonymously, Christie's, Amsterdam, 30 March 2004, lot 326. However, the silvered plate and high quality carved quadrant Corinthian columns on this barometer are typical of English workmanship. These features as well as the Dollond's signature identify this as an English barometer. No other barometers of this form are known to have been made by Dollond.
The design of this 'contra' or 'bak' barometer is unusual as it follows the box-like form of Dutch barometers (the word 'bak' means box in Dutch), rather than the simple stick barometer shape usually adopted in the late eighteenth century in England. Perhaps Peter Dollond's Huguenot family connections led him to adopt this Dutch shape. Elements of the design are also Dutch in style, such as the chequer banding on the inner border of the case. A Dutch 'contra' barometer, by J. Waldi & Comp., Groningen, dating to the late eighteenth or early 19th century, with similar inlay and open pediment, was sold anonymously, Christie's, Amsterdam, 30 March 2004, lot 326. However, the silvered plate and high quality carved quadrant Corinthian columns on this barometer are typical of English workmanship. These features as well as the Dollond's signature identify this as an English barometer. No other barometers of this form are known to have been made by Dollond.