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Object Overview
This two-liquid mercury barometer, crafted in the mid-20th century by Denis Dingens, is an exquisite blend of functional science and artistic design. Its wide, rectangular wooden backing serves as a sturdy foundation, lined with dense cardboard and framed by a striking mirrored border featuring beveled edges along its entire length. This mirrored frame, with its golden interior accents, creates a dazzling contrast, lending the instrument a vibrant, almost opulent character.
The barometric scale, meticulously applied to the cardboard lining, is dual-calibrated in millimeters of mercury and millibars. Deviating from traditional barometric designs, this instrument replaces textual weather indications with artistic depictions of meteorological symbols — sun, clouds, wind, and precipitation. These understated yet evocative symbols add a layer of visual interest and invite the observer to interpret the data through a more intuitive lens.
The two-liquid mechanism is both a scientific marvel and an aesthetic statement. The left closed tube, containing mercury, forms an elegant spiral at its base before connecting to the open right tube via a small bypass valve. The right tube, filled with dyed oil, rises gracefully alongside the barometric scale. This open design not only highlights the dynamics of the dual-liquid system but also showcases the craftsmanship involved in its creation. Alongside the open tube runs a long brass rod with a manually adjustable trend indicator, allowing the user to mark the current atmospheric pressure with precision.
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Completing the ensemble is a tall alcohol thermometer, mounted prominently on the wooden backing. Its Celsius scale, ranging from -10°C to +70°C, adds a practical touch while contributing to the vertical symmetry of the instrument. The thermometer’s slender design and clear readability underscore the barometer’s functional purpose.
This barometer is a study in contrasts. Its minimalist design, with the absence of textual weather indicators and the use of only essential elements, creates an impression of simplicity. Yet, the gleaming brass rod, golden bevels of the mirrored frame, and polished trend indicator imbue it with a sense of luxury and brilliance.