Barometers Realm

This Glass Dome Cylindrical Barograph, crafted around 1920 by the renowned Parisian maker Léon Maxant, exemplifies the precision and aesthetic refinement of early 20th-century scientific instruments. Maxant’s craftsmanship is marked by his distinctive company logo — a sturdy anchor flanked by the letters “L” and “M”, symbolizing reliability and continuity of tradition.

At the center of the instrument sits a small rotating brass drum mounted on a metal base and equipped with an eight-day clock movement. Beneath the base, on the “lower level,” are housed three aneroid capsules — sensitive components ensuring the high accuracy characteristic of instruments of this caliber. This tiered arrangement not only provides structural compactness but also imparts the instrument with visual simplicity and elegance.

A brass lever extending from the aneroid capsules terminates in a fine recording pen, tipped with a droplet of ink. The pen meticulously traces atmospheric pressure variations onto a paper chart tightly secured to the drum by a slender brass strip. The result is a detailed and continuous record of barometric fluctuations, embodying both scientific precision and mechanical grace. A knurled brass knob located on the base beside the drum operates a vertical spindle, allowing the writing pen to be gently lifted away from the chart.

The protective dome, made of transparent plastic, shields the drum and mechanism from external elements while providing an unobstructed view of their intricate workings. The dome is crowned by a polished brass cap, lending a refined accent to the instrument’s utilitarian form. The base, covered in light brown velour, ensures stability and prevents surface scratching.