Barometers Realm

The Ship’s barometer, likely crafted by John Barker & Co. Ltd of Kensington around 1925, stands out as an uncommon marvel in maritime instruments. Its design reverses the traditional proportions, placing emphasis on a massive brass bezel rather than a hefty wooden base. This robust bezel, about 6 cm thick, dominates the piece, anchoring it firmly to a slim mahogany base, a stark contrast to traditional barometers, where wood typically takes precedence over brass. Here, the brass bezel commands attention, lending the instrument a bold, industrial solidity.

Adding to this visual strength, a second, finer brass bezel frames the front, securing a flat glass with beveled edges that subtly catch and play with the light. The dial beneath, crafted through chemical etching, bears an London inch scale along with Fitzroy's weather indicators, each word rendered in Gothic style lettering, evoking the gravitas and elegance of early 20th-century nautical design.

This unconventional arrangement, where brass envelops wood, presents the barometer as a powerful artifact of its time — a solid and striking piece that captures both the resilience of the open sea and the precision of British craftsmanship.