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A053 · Aneroid
mid 20th century
Object Overview
The Russel Mahogany Barometer from RUSSEL Scientific Instruments Ltd, created in the mid-20th century, merges elegance and craftsmanship of its era. The veneered mahogany case, shaped like a banjo, with its rich wood textures, delivers moments of visual pleasure, especially in how light and shadow play across its smooth surface. The finely veneered mahogany case seems to halt time — every detail invites a closer look, urging to grasp the intent and feel the rush of beauty.
The broken pediment is crowned by a brass finial, like a beacon on the horizon that draws the eye, setting the tone for the entire composition. At the bottom of the case, there is marquetry — a skillfully crafted floral head, modest yet confident in its presence, like a punctuation mark in a musical score. This ornament does not distract from the structure but rather highlights it, adding a soft counterpoint to the barometer's strict geometry.
The brass bezel framing the crisp white plastic dial creates a harmonious blend of warm metal and cool plastic, contrasting yet united into one cohesive whole. The scales, marked both in inches of mercury and millibars, reflect the scientific progress and the pursuit of compromise between different measurement systems. The dial, protected by convex glass, serves as a reminder of the invisible forces of nature relentlessly moving forward.
n/a
aneroid capsule tensioned on a C-spring
brass, glass, plastic, wood
At the center, almost like a protagonist on stage, stands the trend indicator — a slender yet powerful element, silently witnessing atmospheric changes. This indicator is the visual focal point of the barometer, its rhythmic pulse, constantly interacting with its surroundings.
Completing the composition is the alcohol thermometer, delicately embedded on the plastic base. It measures temperature in both Fahrenheit and Centigrade, underscoring the global universality of this small yet refined instrument. In this barometer, the clash between functionality and art, scientific accuracy and artistic expression, is sublimated into one form.