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Object Overview
This Black Forest Hunting Motif Aneroid Barometer from the late 19th century, crafted by the Parisian clockmaker Victor Reclus, is executed in the characteristic style of the Black Forest — an artistic school that emerged in the Schwarzwald region of southern Germany, renowned for its masterful woodcarving centered on themes of nature, hunting, and rural life.
The case is carved from walnut — a dense and noble wood, perfectly suited for such intricate work. The composition develops vertically: at the top is a finely carved dog’s head, symbolizing the hunting theme. Below it is set a long thermometer, framed by a strict rectangular border with decorative scrolls on both sides, lending it a solemn expressiveness. Symmetrically flanking the case are meticulously carved figures of game birds — likely partridges — hanging upside down by their tails, a scene often encountered in the hunting art of the late 19th century, emphasizing the trophy nature of the composition. Between the birds, just above the barometer, is a stepped concentric circle, most likely a stylized depiction of a target or simplified spiral. The small pin or raised point in the center further enhances the hunting association — evoking an archery or shooting target. This feature is typical for hunting barometers: craftsmen would sometimes use such “targets” purely decoratively to visually balance the upper part of the case and to link the thermometer to the barometer. The central focus is the barometer itself — round, with a metal bezel, above which the case continues with lush carving: large oak leaves and acorns, traditional symbols of strength, longevity, and triumph over nature’s elements. The composition concludes with a dense garland of oak leaves at the base, lending the whole piece a sense of completeness and weight.
n/a
Redier
brass, cardboard, glass, wood
The barometer is framed with a bezel made of nickel silver. The open dial is made of cardboard and secured within a thin reflective silvered ring. The concentrically arranged barometric scale is calibrated in centimeters of mercury and ranges from 69 to 80 cm. Surrounding the scale is the standard French weather indication, executed in a mix of serif and sans-serif fonts. At the bottom of the dial is the inscription “Baromètre anéroïde.” Between this inscription and the scale, the retailer’s initials (D.L.) are squeezed in — manually added after the instrument was manufactured. These initials belong to Dominique Latour, a French maker and retailer of surveying instruments who established the company bearing his name in 1857. Based at 13 Boulevard Voltaire, Paris, the firm manufactured and sold a range of surveying and precision instruments. Its distinctive trademark, which also appears on the dials of some of its barometers, depicts a lighthouse bearing the Latin motto FIAT LUX, flanked by the initials D and L. Fiat lux means “Let there be light”, while the lighthouse itself provides an apt visual symbol of light and optics.
At the heart of the barometer lies a tall aneroid capsule with an internal spring, and the overall movement closely resembles the design used by Redier. The movement of the capsule walls is transmitted to the amplification mechanism through a small projection on the upper wall of the capsule. Above the projection is a rocking lever with a small plate, from which a connecting rod leads to a toothed rack that engages with a pinion driving the pointer axis. In Victor Reclus’ catalog, aneroid barometers are presented with three types of non-standard mechanisms, one of which corresponds to the mechanism used in this barometer.
Despite the unusual and elegant movement of the barometer, the instrument features yet another striking detail — the thermometer. It is an alcohol thermometer, colored with cochineal, mounted on an enameled plate. The thermometer is uniquely calibrated using a centigrade scale. Instead of the traditional thermal indications (such as Freezing, Temperate, Summer Heat, Blood Heat, Fever), it features an interactive “life guide” depending on the temperature — perfectly fitting for a “hunting” barometer, especially in villages and estates, where practical meaning was far more important than strict numerical accuracy. Such textual temperature indications are rare and represent a highly curious material.
This thermometer was not intended for scientific calibration — it was meant to offer clarity and practical value in daily life, where what mattered was not laboratory precision, but an intuitive understanding: