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Object Overview
This Ebony Case Mercury Thermometer, dating to approximately 1920, was made by the Dutch maker of optical and meteorological instruments Hermanus G. Lammerts van Bueren. The base is crafted from solid ebony—dense, black, and naturally matte in appearance. Ebony withstands humidity exceptionally well and does not warp, which is why in the early 20th century it was often chosen for “elegant yet practical” measuring instruments intended for long-term use.
The scale plate is made of silvered brass with a satin-matte finish. The silvering gives the surface a soft, metallic sheen and ensures excellent legibility of the markings. Along the border of the register plate runs a faint ornamental wave engraving, adding a subtle decorative refinement.
The thermometer features a dual scale: on the left Celsius (0–50 °C), and on the right Fahrenheit (32–120 °F), a format typical of Dutch and British thermometers intended for a broad domestic market and for export.
The thin mercury capillary is set cleanly and precisely—without tension or misalignment—indicating careful, professional assembly. At the bottom is a spherical mercury reservoir, protected by a small yet distinctive nickel-plated guard bracket.
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glass, mercury, silvered brass, wood
The thermometer is fitted with a convenient hanging ring for wall mounting.
Taken as a whole, this thermometer represents the refined craftsmanship and balanced design characteristic of Lammerts van Bueren’s workshop in the early 20th century—an object made to be both precise and aesthetically enduring. It reflects a moment when everyday scientific instruments were still created with the care and dignity of artisanal work rather than mass production.