"Mercury" Aneroid Barometer from France, Early 20th Century
Lot: 2283
A rare bronze aneroid barometer in the form of a figure of the god Mercury. The pedestal is decorated with the heads of mythical creatures at the corners. Made in France in the early 20th century.
Aneroid is a type of barometer, a device for measuring atmospheric pressure that operates without the help of a liquid. Invented and patented by the French scientist Lucien Vidi in 1844. The walls of an empty air capsule, called a "Vidi capsule", are held by a spring. Atmospheric pressure presses on the capsule and thus the needle on the dial rotates.
Mercury among the Romans is a fast-moving god-patron of trade and profit. The first planet from the Sun was named in his honor, since it moves the fastest. Medieval alchemists, having discovered mercury, also named it in honor of the god Mercury. What is also interesting is that mercury is also at the heart of the work of the barometer.
The aneroid barometer was purchased at an elite auction in France on the Cote d'Azur.
Attribution to the French auction house Azur Encheres (an official partner of Christie's auction house).
The barometer mechanism does not work, the product can be used for decorative purposes.
Weight 720 g
Height 28 cm, pedestal size 11x11 cm
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