A 19th century storm or chemical weather glass, half-pear sh...

Estimate

£60 - £100

A 19th century storm or chemical weather glass, half-pear shaped reservoir crested by an integral suspension loop, spout to apron, spherical under-finial, 26.5cm high The design of the current lot was devised by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in around 1793 but had to wait until after his death to be recognised as useful for predicting impending stormy weather. Often called a Liege barometer the instrument worked by filling the reservoir approximately two-thirds full and hanging on the wall, with a sudden drop of air pressure (which precedes a storm) the level in the spout would rise - possibly spilling over thus provides a simple but effective early warning for stormy weather.