Antique Napoleon III Parisian Giltwood Barometer, "Bodeur a Paris", Circa 1830

This lovely giltwood barometer and thermometer was hand-carved during the Louis XVI period in Paris, France. During the late 1700’s, barometers were typically only owned by wealthy families. Over time, barometers began to be viewed as works of art and could be found in middle class homes throughout Europe. The highly detailed crown of our apparatus depicts a footed vase bursting with a floral display. The garland trails down in an arch shape until it reaches an angular platform adorned with molding and vertical fluting. The flowered swag continues behind the platform, transitioning into a pair of gadrooned leaves. Each gadrooned leaf terminates in a husked cornucopia overflowing with laurel leaves. A large circular barometer dial is positioned in between the cornucopias. Under the barometer is a looping lambrequin that borders the top half of the thermometer. A pair of gadrooned leaves runs behind and through the lambrequin, flanking the lower half of the thermometer. A fluted base beneath the thermometer sits in a gadrooned cup. The detail of the carvings on this late 18th century Parisian...

The period of Napoleon III, also known as the Second Empire, was an eclectic style, drawing from the preceding periods. Regardless of where the inspiration came from, the main tenet ...

A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...

Wooden barometer with cedar wood trim at the edges, signed Caux Opticien Rue Rivoli près du Louvre Paris, mid-19th century; dial with the meteorological indications on paper printed ...