Barometers Realm

The other medallion features sea dragons, possibly tritons, along with a trident, symbolizing the wealth of the seas and the natural elements. A symbol resembling an infinity sign in the center of the medallion likely emphasizes the eternal, inexhaustible, and balanced nature of resources. Paired with the trident and sea dragons, it reinforces the allegory of control and harmony among the elements. This element serves as a philosophical link between the medallion of Plutus, representing terrestrial wealth, and the sea-themed medallion, uniting the imagery of land and sea wealth.

Together, these two medallions create an allegory of the wealth of land and sea, governed by the gods or fate. The symbolism highlights that nature’s riches are gifts, distributed impartially and irrespective of human morality.

The thermometer’s functional component is a 9-centimeter silvered brass dial featuring a Fahrenheit scale with prominently engraved temperature values ranging from 20 to 120 degrees, in increments of 20. At the center of the dial, a curved glass tube with a bulb-shaped reservoir holds mercury, allowing precise temperature measurement.

Far from being a utilitarian scientific instrument, this thermometer is imbued with artistic dimension, evoking spiritual and symbolic meanings. The marriage of science and art in this object creates a bridge between the physical measurement of the world and humanity’s conceptualization of it. It serves as a reminder that science and art often intersect and enrich one another. Through its symbolism, this thermometer tells stories of nature, wealth, and elemental balance, continuing to inspire and captivate even after more than a century.