Items Similar to ‘Royal’ Barometer by John Russell, Watchmaker to the Prince Regent
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
‘Royal’ Barometer by John Russell, Watchmaker to the Prince Regent
About the Item
This superbly crafted wheel barometer and thermometer has a mahogany case surrounded by twisted brass stringing and central panels of foliate tendrils above Russell’s signature thistle motif in black and gilt verre églomisé. It is surmounted by a brass Prince of Wales feather finial. The long, rectangular thermometer plate is inscribed ‘Thermometers: Beaumar, Fahrenheit, Royal Society of London’, the latter being an early attempt to standardise temperature measurement. The circular dial is inscribed ‘Changeable, Fair, Settled Fair, Much Rain’ and ‘Rain’ and signed across the centre ‘J Russell, Falkirk, Invt et Fecit, Watch Maker to his R.H the Prince Regent’. The reverse has a paper label ‘Russell, Iden Collection Inventory 1896’. Scottish, circa 1815.
Provenance: Mr Walter Iden.
Published: Percy G. Dawson, The Iden Clock Collection, Woodbridge, 1987. No.125, p.280.
These ‘royal barometers’ were so named because John Russell of Falkirk gave one each to George III and the Prince Regent (later George IV). A contemporary account in The Edinburgh Evening Courant of 6 July 1812 states ‘On Monday, Mr. Russell of Falkirk, waited on his Royal Highness at Carlton House, when he had the honour of delivering a superb gold chronometer of his making, according to H.R.H. gracious order. His Royal Highness, with his usual condescension, was pleased to declare his satisfaction with this specimen of Mr. Russell’s workmanship’ [sic]. There is an invoice from Russell in the Royal Archives for a chronometer and two barometers for £153 6s. John Russell (1745-1817) was one of the best Scottish clock and watchmakers of his time. He was appointed Watchmaker to the Prince of Wales in 1811 and is also famous for his wheel barometers. Other examples can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the National Museum of Scotland.
An interesting modern footnote is that Garrard, the Crown Jewellers at the time, commissioned O. Comitti & Son to reproduce this barometer, as a limited edition of 200, to commemorate the Royal marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
- Creator:John Russell (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 47.5 in (120.65 cm)Width: 13 in (33.02 cm)Depth: 0.1 in (2.54 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1815
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Lymington, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU973029384552
John Russell
Russell was born in Guildford, Surrey in 1745, his father John Snr was four times the mayor of the town and an artist himself. The young John Russell trained under Francis Cotes RA who was one of the pioneers of English pastel painting. Both he and Cotes were admirers of the celebrated Italian pastel artist Rosalba Carriera, her methods significantly influenced his technique of "sweetening". At 19 and much to the protests of his family & teacher he converted to Methodism. In 1767 he set up his studio in London when he met the notorious Dr. William Dodd, whose portrait he painted in 1768. At this time he had met the Countess of Huntingdon along with many other members of the nobility. In 1770 he married Hannah Faden and moved to Cavendish Square London.
he travelled extensively painting around Britain, in 1770 he entered The Royal Academy of Art and won the the gold medal the same year, he also exhibited at The Society of Artists, he exhibited around 330 works at the Academy between 1769 until his death.
In 1788 he painted a number of important commissions that led to him being appointed as pastel painter to King George III, he also painted Queen Charlotte, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York. By this time Russell had developed an extensive fashionable & influential clientele.
Russell was a deeply religious man and shunned the dinner circuit of London high society, due to concerns of being exposed to blasphemous conversation. He was however on good terms with Sir Joshua Reynolds with whom he dined with at the Academy, the Dilettanti Society and the Literary Club.
Russell's work can be viewed at many of the prominent galleries in the UK and around the world including the National Portrait Gallery London, The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York but the largest collection is held by Guildford House Art Gallery in Guildford. Many of his portraits were engraved by, amongst others, Joseph Collyer, Charles Turner, James Heath, Dean, Bartolozzi and Trotter.
Russell was troubled by ill-health he had contracted cholera and died of typhus in the city of Hull in 1806. John Russell is recognized as one of the greatest pastel painters.
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1982
1stDibs seller since 2013
109 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
Associations
LAPADA - The Association of Arts & Antiques Dealers
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Lymington, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Bow-Front Marine Barometer by John DollondBy Dollond, LondonLocated in Lymington, HampshireA bow-front marine barometer by John Dollond It is of slender cylindrical form with a silvered register plate enclosed by a hinged thermometer flap an...Category
Antique 1820s English Scientific Instruments
MaterialsBrass
- The Royal Squadron Schooner Prize won by Miranda, 1877Located in Lymington, HampshireThe Royal Squadron Schooner Prize won by Miranda, 1877. This impressive trophy is a small replica of the classical Roman ‘Warwick Vase’. The body is cast and chased with fruiting vi...Category
Antique 1880s English Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
MaterialsSilver
- A Wellington commemorative barometer retailed by Wehrle and SteuertLocated in Lymington, HampshireThis carved giltwood barometer is in the form of a military trophy of arms surmounted by a ducal coronet. It comprises a sword hilt, cannon barrels and standards surrounding a portr...Category
Antique 1850s English Scientific Instruments
MaterialsGiltwood
- Royal Sailing Yacht Britannia’s 76 inches burgee of the Royal Corinthian Yacht CLocated in Lymington, HampshireThis large triangular racing burgee is made from pieced wool bunting with machine stitching with three vertical red, white and red stripes. The white stripe showing a blue shield with a white star and crescent moon motif below a royal crown. The leading edge is inscribed in black ink ‘R. Portsmouth Corin n/t’. It is accompanied by a copy of a black edged letter on Buckingham Palace writing paper dated 10th July 1936 saying ‘Dear Sir, I am commanded by the King and Queen Mary to send you these flags which were flown on board “Britannia” at various times during her career, including one of her racing flags. Their Majesties hope you will like to keep these in your club house as souvenirs of the old yacht. Yours Derek Keppell, Master of the Household, The Commodore, Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club.” It is offered with a Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club printed silk racing programme for the Sixth Regatta in Osborne Bay, 1883, with a gold fringe and a button attached with a red seal to a tag stating ‘Seabed Pattern Button Corinthian Yacht Club, jacket and vest, 1880’, in an envelope ‘On H.M. Service’ addressed to ‘General His Serene Highness, Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Commodore of the Corinthian Yacht Club, Government House...Category
Vintage 1930s English Nautical Objects
MaterialsTextile
- A Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, LiverpoolLocated in Lymington, HampshireA Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, Liverpool. The 10 ¾-inch silvered dial of this walnut barometer is set within the arms of an anchor and a coil of double twisted rope which passes over a ring handle. The dial is inscribed in Spanish and the scale in both Fahrenheit and ‘Beaumur’. It is The trunk inset with a thermometer. Inscribed Gray & Keen, Liverpool on the dial. English and Italian, circa 1860. Height: 37in (94cm) Width: 17in (43cm) Gray and Keen from Liverpool exhibited in the Designers and Manufacturers Hall of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The official catalogue entry reads ‘Wheel barometer, designed for use in naval establishments’ and ‘Gothic wheel barometer’s. For a similar rope twist barometer...Category
Antique 1860s European Victorian Scientific Instruments
MaterialsWalnut
- Novelty Nautical Clock and Barometer Set by Westbury Clock Co., USALocated in Lymington, HampshireNautical desk clock and barometer set by Westbury Clock Co., USA in the form of double ship's helm in bronzed case with an eight day movement strik...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Nautical Objects
MaterialsBronze
You May Also Like
- Paris Photographs by Brassai text by John Russell 1st Edtion 1960By John Russell, George BrassaïLocated in London, GBFirst edition, published by Batsford, 1960. Braissais's mesmeric photographs captures the everyday essence of Paris lead by John Russelli's elegant and erudite tour of the city, i...Category
Mid-20th Century British Books
- Antique Scottish Regency Verre Églomisé Barometer by John Russell of FalkirkLocated in Devon, GBA fine and extremely rare early 19th Century Regency period wheel barometer by John Russell of Falkirk, barometer maker to the Prince Regent. This e...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Scientific Instruments
MaterialsMahogany
- John Bennett Georgian BarometerBy John BennettLocated in New Orleans, LAThis exceptional Georgian barometer by the leading London instrument-maker John Bennett strongly reflects the prevalent furniture style and archite...Category
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Scientific Instruments
MaterialsBrass
- English Mahogany Prince of Wales Banjo Barometer, Circa 1820Located in Hollywood, SCEnglish mahogany four dial banjo barometer with broken arch pediment, steel engraved face with Prince of Wales motif, and original rotating bone dial. Barometer can be restored to wo...Category
Antique 1820s English George III Scientific Instruments
MaterialsSteel
- 1929 The PrinceBy MachiavelliLocated in Bath, GBAn exceptionally scarce Limited Edition of Machiavelli's sixteenth century political treatise, limited to only ten copies printed on vellum leaves. Number ten of ten copies printed ...Category
Vintage 1920s British Books
MaterialsPaper
- Large Portrait Photo of Luitpold Prince Regent of Bavaria 1886 Wood carved FrameLocated in Nuernberg, DEAn extraordinary Original Photograph of Luitpold Karl Joseph Wilhelm Ludwig, Prince Regent of Bavaria (12 March 1821 – 12 December 1912). Beautiful hand crafted Black Forest style fr...Category
Antique 1880s German Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsGlass, Wood
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Prince Used Furniture
Royal Order
Prince Wales
Prince Of Wales
Antique Long Johns
Superb Royal
Mahogany Scotland
Princes Plate
Scottish Mahogany
Prince Crown
Royal Albert Antique
Used Furniture Prince George
Charles Wales
Antique Fairs London
Antique Watchmaker
Victoria And Son
Antique Watch Makers
Watchmaker Furniture