Barometer (detail)

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This is a detail of a barometer made just before 1800, probably by John Gardner, a scientific instrument maker based in Glasgow. Gardner had been James Watt's principal journeyman before setting up on his own.

The stick barometer has ivory plates with two scales and a sliding pointer. The right scale is marked 27-31 inches, the left 'Serene/ Set Fair/FAIR /Change/ RAIN/Mh. Rain/ Stormy'. The left plate is signed 'J. Gardner/ Glasgow fecit' at the bottom.

Scottish barometers of this period sometimes have the word 'Serene' on their register plates instead of the more mundane 'Very Dry'.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-060-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.69
• Date: Before 1800
  
• Material: Harewood, tulipwood, ivory register plates, inset marquetry motif. Inscription: J. Gardner / Glasgow fecit ; Serene / Set Fair / FAIR / Change. / RAIN / Mh Rain / Stormy
  Barometer, concertina cistern stick
  
• Dimensions: 80 mm x 40 mm x 980 mm
  
• What: Barometer, concertina cistern stick
  
• Subject: 10. METEOROLOGY (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: J. Gardner, Glasgow (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: Concertina cistern stick barometer made from harewood and tulipwood with ivory register plates and an inset marquetry motif, by John Gardner, Glasgow, before 1800
  
• References:
  • Bryden, D.J. Scottish Scientific Instrument Makers 1660-1900. Edinburgh, 1972 pp 48-9 
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 164, 171 
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