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68
c. 1970
conventional movement tensioned on a C-spring
beryllium, brass, copper, glass, paper
This unusual Apollo Eagle Barometer, dating to around 1970, is a significant artifact of the “space age.” Such barometers, produced shortly after the landmark event, were issued as souvenirs commemorating the Moon landing, entirely in keeping with the spirit of the times: the 1970s abounded with space-related symbolism in everyday objects.
The case of the barometer is carved from solid wood, finished in a patinated tone resembling aged brass (Grecian Gold). Two distinct ornamental motifs are worked into the design:
At the bottom of the case appears a large relief flower (rosette), complemented by symmetrical leaves and volutes. This is a traditional element of European ornamentation, often found in Baroque and Rococo styles, as well as in folk carving, symbolizing abundance and compositional completeness.
Crowning the barometer is a sculptural eagle with outspread wings, visually uniting all the ornamental details and intensifying the monumentality and patriotic tone. While the eagle was a common decorative motif in 19th–20th century applied arts, representing the “ruler of the skies” and a general emblem of power, here the symbolism carries a deeper meaning.
On the dial we see the Apollo 11 lunar landing of 1969, explicitly inscribed “U.S.A. 1969.” Thus the eagle unmistakably alludes to the United States and its national emblem — the bald eagle — a symbol central to American heraldry and frequently used by NASA. Even more directly, the Apollo 11 lunar module itself was named Eagle, immortalized in Neil Armstrong’s historic phrase, “The Eagle has landed.” In this context, the eagle atop the case is not merely decorative but an intentional allusion to America’s space program and its national symbol, underscoring the ideological message of the object.
The dial depicts astronauts on the lunar surface: one planting the flag, another working with an instrument. The inscription “U.S.A. 1969” anchors the scene to the Apollo 11 mission. Such pictorial decoration is highly unusual for an aneroid barometer, making this a remarkable collectible artifact of the “space age.” A further noteworthy detail is that the dial artwork is executed in an engraving style rather than offset or lithographic printing, suggesting a more labor-intensive reproduction technique uncommon in mass production.
The dial carries two barometric scales: the outer concentric ring calibrated in millimeters of mercury (700–790), marked in large numerals, and an inner scale in millibars, in smaller type. Weather indications are provided in both French and Dutch, typical of instruments destined for the Belgian market (where both languages are official) or for bilingual export.
The dial is protected by a convex mineral glass, with a brass-set knurled knob for adjusting the trend indicator hand. The pointer itself, of blued steel, features a rhomboid-shaped counterweight — a stylistic departure from the more common crescent motif often used in barometric hands, perhaps deliberately restrained so as not to overload the “lunar” theme.
The movement of the barometer is based on a conventional mechanism tensioned on a C-spring. Yet the aneroid capsule itself shows an interesting refinement: the lower membrane is made of copper, while the upper is formed of beryllium bronze or pure beryllium. This combination provided engineers with improved accuracy, thermal stability, and durability.
Altogether, the Apollo Eagle Barometer is not only a functional meteorological instrument but also a commemorative object — a symbolic tribute to the Apollo 11 landing and a striking blend of traditional decorative craft with modern “space age” enthusiasm.
