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Object Overview
This Hunting Bourdon Barometer, dating to around 1885, was crafted by the renowned manufacturer Hüe, known for producing Bourdon barometers for the famous Richard, licensed manufacturer of Bourdon barometers. The carved walnut case of this barometer was likely intended as a gift or decorative piece for a country house, a hunting club, a gun shop, or a trophy room. It reflects the traditional hunting style, reminiscent of engravings that adorned hunting lodges in Central Europe, carrying the symbolic meaning of a successful hunt.
At the top of the case, there is a boar’s head with an open mouth, meticulously carved to depict the texture of fur and expressive features. In hunting symbolism, the boar represents strength, courage, and a prized trophy. It is a sign of a successful hunt and a hunter's pride. Flanking the thermometer, framed by tree branches, are two hanging partridges, intricately carved with detailed feather patterns. These birds were a common game trophy, and their downward position signifies the traditional practice of suspending game after a hunt.
13449
late Bourdon
brass, cardboard, carved wood, glass, nickel silver
The mercury thermometer is mounted on a brass (originally silvered) base, which features engraved centigrade and Fahrenheit scales. The lower section of the case is adorned with decorative carvings of oak leaves and acorns, a classic motif associated with hunting guilds, endurance, and longevity. The face of the barometer is a well-preserved open card dial with a barometric scale calibrated in centimeters of mercury. Surrounding the scale, concentric textual weather indications are inscribed in Dutch capital letters. The lower part of the dial bears the distinctive inscription typical for this type of instrument—"Metallieke Barometer"—flanked by the manufacturer’s logo and a patent reference. However, the most remarkable feature of this barometer is its unique movement. At its core is a freely suspended Bourdon tube, fixed at its apex and gleaming with a bright golden hue. Unfortunately, in this design, part of the Bourdon tube is obscured by the dial.
A mechanical linkage is positioned between the ends of the Bourdon tube, converting its curvature changes into the movement of the pointer via two levers and gear wheels. One of the most striking parts of the movement is the elegant brass gear segment (rack), centrally located. As atmospheric pressure changes, the Bourdon tube contracts or expands, causing this gear segment to move noticeably. The movement of the gear segment, in turn, rotates the gear wheel on the pointer’s axis. To the side of the gear segment's pivot point, there is a brass ball-shaped counterweight, clearly visible through the open dial. This counterweight maintains constant tension in the joints and gear engagement, preventing dead movement, where minor pressure fluctuations might not register due to unavoidable play in the rack-and-pinion mechanism.
Bourdon barometers typically have a small adjustment port on the back panel, usually covered by a tiny brass shutter. A square-section key is inserted into this port, initially acting as a lever to lock the gear wheel on the pointer’s axis by pressing a wedge into the gear. Then, as the inner square of the key engages with the pointer’s shaft, turning the key moves the pointer while keeping the gear fixed. Unfortunately, the original adjustment key for this barometer is missing.
This Bourdon barometer features a striking decorative element that immediately puzzles an observant expert. In addition to the signature Bourdon tube, the design incorporates a visible wall of an aneroid capsule—not as a functional component, but as a decorative feature. This is a rare and highly unusual choice, creating a visually dynamic interior.
Typically, Bourdon barometers appear somewhat "empty", with the elegant tube and rack set against a plain back panel or, even more starkly, a blank sheet of paper. This gives the mechanism a visually light but somewhat minimalist appearance. Here, however, an illusion is introduced, creating the impression that the instrument combines two distinct pressure-measuring technologies. This is perplexing—at first glance, one sees both a Bourdon tube and an aneroid capsule!
This design choice can be seen as bold, even provocative, as it challenges conventional understandings of the structural differences between Bourdon and aneroid barometers, playing with the viewer’s expectations. It acts as a kind of intellectual puzzle for connoisseurs of meteorological instruments.
Hüe began producing Bourdon barometers for Richard around 1876. From that year, the side ends of the gear segments were manufactured with a blunt, loop-like shape. At the same time, the mechanism for locking the gear wheel during altitude adjustment was modified—the return spring of the wedge mechanism was repositioned beyond the gear wheel. Production under the Hüe name continued until approximately 1880–1890. However, during World War I, the production of Bourdon barometers was entirely discontinued, both at Richard and Hüe. As a result, these barometers have become highly sought-after collectibles, treasured by enthusiasts and historians alike.