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Object Overview
Presented is an Eclectic Ornate Aneroid Barometer from the late 19th century by the renowned manufacturer Hüe, distributed in this instance by another prestigious French company, Manufacture française d'armes et cycles de Saint-Étienne, commonly known as Manufrance.
The case of this wall-mounted aneroid barometer, carved from linden, is a true work of decorative art, crafted in the Late Historicism style with Baroque elements. The crest, shaped like a stylized acanthus leaf resembling a shell, is a motif frequently found in Baroque and Rocaille carvings, symbolizing luxury and organic forms. The cornice with a balustrade—a projecting section with carved balusters—imitates a colonnade, lending architectural monumentality to the case. The thermometer frame is elegantly designed, featuring fluted carvings on the shafts of its columns, while miniature scrolls and angular elements surrounding the central section add depth to the composition.
The circular barometer frame follows a classic round design, with a delicate bevel that seamlessly transitions into the main body of the case. On either side are large, Rocaille-style carved scrolls intertwined with acanthus leaves, characteristic of 18th- and 19th-century ornamentation.
320
external coil spring
brass, cardboard, glass, steel, wood
The elongated lower section of the case is adorned with a decorative protrusion featuring volutes (spiral scrolls) and a heraldic shield at the center. The bottom element incorporates a triangular carved motif with a teardrop-shaped insert, providing balance to the overall composition.
The central element, the barometer, features a thin brass bezel, securing a flat protective glass with the index hand positioned at its center. The open card dial offers a glimpse into the instrument’s inner workings. The concentric scale is calibrated in centimeters of mercury and includes detailed weather indications in French, inscribed in capital letters. An interesting feature and a distinctive hallmark of the manufacturer is that the barometric scale is applied to the protective glass using the reverse glass painting technique, while the weather terms are placed directly on the dial.
The movement is based on a sensitive aneroid element, held in place by a massive counterbalanced structure with an external helical spring, a distinctive feature of early aneroid mechanisms.
Additionally, the case houses an alcohol thermometer, tinted with cochineal dye. The capillary tube, with a spherical reservoir, rests on an enameled base bearing a centigrade scale, completing the instrument’s sophisticated and scientifically refined design.