Antique Table / Mantle Aneroid Barometer by JH Steward c.1867

This is an attractive architecturally inspired oak cased aneroid table or mantle barometer by JH Steward, 54 Cornhill, London c1867. Antique aneroid barometer having 4½” silvered and engraved dial, barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 25 – 31, with stations on the inch and divided to 1/100ths. The upper part with standard meteorological terms and signed by the retailer, “J.H. Steward,” the lower part with address “54 Cornhill, London.” Blued steel pointer set beneath a bevelled glass with gilt brass index. The dial centre decorated with an engraved geocentric floral design. The early pattern French movement tensioned on a coil spring and driven from a single 2.5” capsule. All contained within a carved oak case raised on a plinth with slab feet. The verso with three dial fixing ferrules, calibration port. Comments: Not a common pattern, the architectural design with ecclesiastical overtones conveys a sense of peace with pleasing aesthetics. The case colour is good and in keeping with fashionable taste. It would appear that J.H. Steward bought in good quality French movements, descendants of those French movements used by Vidi in the first aneroid instruments, to fit into these visually striking barometers. A more than practical and aesthetically most desirable aneroid barometer by one of the premier makers of quality instruments of the time. Dimensions: 9½” wide x 11¾” high x 3¼” deep