Barometers Realm

The mid-20th-century storm glass in its noble mahogany frame is a tribute to maritime heritage and the delicate interplay between science and the forces of nature. Its casing, darkened by time, radiates warmth and restrained solemnity, reminiscent of a captain’s cabin on an old ship. At the center, convex glass captures attention, heightening the allure of the instrument and guiding the gaze to a gleaming brass plaque carefully engraved with the name of Admiral Fitzroy — a legendary figure in both meteorology and navigation. Below his name, a small ship appears, a subtle nod to the relentless sea voyages and the untamable nature Fitzroy sought to understand.

An alcohol thermometer with a brass cap is elegantly integrated into the design, shining with vintage charm against the dark tones of mahogany. A slender, alcohol-filled tube of the thermometer balances the neat Fahrenheit and Celsius scales engraved on the brass plate.

Completing this instrument is a glass ampoule filled with a chemical solution and sealed with brass, adding a final touch of mystery. Inside the ampoule, crystallization patterns slowly shift, forming delicate, ephemeral shapes that foretell weather changes, whimsical and unpredictable as the sea itself. Beyond its scientific function, the storm glass stands as a symbol of humanity’s timeless quest to understand, predict, and, perhaps in some small measure, tame the wild forces of nature.

Bert Bolle acted as a retailer, selling various meteorological instruments in the shop of his Barometer Museum. The displayed storm glass was likely produced by Rose barometers.