Carved Walnut Mantle or Table Aneroid Barometer c.1860

A very good early and ornately carved walnut mantle or table aneroid barometer with thermometer, possibly by J.H. Steward c.1860.   Aneroid barometer having 4½” black printed card dial, the upper part with standard meteorological terms, barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 27½” – 31½”, generalised prognostications. The lower part with semi-circular thermometer, the register calibrated in Fahrenheit and Centigrade with ranges 1° to 140° and -15° to 60° respectively. Blued steel pointer, gilt brass index. Deeply bevelled glass held within a lacquered brass bezel. Early Vidie style movement driven from a single 2½” 2nd pattern capsule tensioned on a coil spring. The whole maintained in a finely carved walnut case with floral themes and a Maltese cross within a shield.   Condition: Fully serviced, conserved, and calibrated under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test, and in working condition. The dial clean and crisp, the thermometer reading with acceptable accuracy and an unbroken thread. The walnut case with excellent colour and essentially damage free.   Comments: An attractive and really well carved case of finer detail and execution than most. A scarce early example of the aneroid movement, probably of French manufacture, then bought in and assembled by J.H. Steward.