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Object Overview
This late 19th century Neoclassical mahogany barometer was manufactured by the Hamburg-based instrument maker Heinrich Fröbel for the Dutch market and sold by the Rotterdam retailer G.H. Rinck. It embodies the strict and minimalist style of Neoclassicism. The barometer’s case, crafted from solid mahogany, is distinguished by its simplicity and clarity of form, without unnecessary decorative elements. The upper section of the case is crowned with a restrained pediment with sharp, straight lines, slightly reminiscent of triangular pediments from classical buildings but with a more rectangular and austere design.
On either side of the central part of the barometer are two vertical columns symbolizing the Pillars of Hercules, which visually separate the upper section with the dial from the lower part with the thermometer. The columns are adorned with brass capitals featuring a textured surface, adding a touch of refinement and emphasizing the vertical symmetry of the instrument.
The upper part of the barometer features an open cardboard dial with a simple yet elegant design. The scale is graduated in centimeters of mercury, while the weather indications in Dutch are written in capital letters, adding a sense of strictness and clarity. The dial is protected by thick flat glass with beveled edges, providing the instrument with additional durability and visual sharpness.
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aneroid capsule tensioned on a C-spring
brass, cardboard, chrome, glass, wood
The lower section of the case houses a mercury thermometer on a porcelain base with an elegant spiral head. The thermometer’s scale displays temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, adding functionality and precision to the instrument.
The overall appearance of the barometer represents a perfect combination of classical symmetry and minimalist austerity. The straight forms and absence of excessive decoration give the instrument a restrained elegance, highlighting its utilitarian beauty and craftsmanship.
G.H. Rinck was a 19th-century Dutch optician based in Rotterdam who, among other things, manufactured or assembled and sold aneroid barometers. His instruments were known for their quality and elegant design, reflecting the craftsmanship of the period. Today, his barometers occasionally appear at auction houses, where they are valued by collectors for their historical and artistic significance.