£10,000 - £15,000
Fine and rare walnut barometer by John Hallifax of Barnsley, the 8" brass arched dial signed John Hallifax, Barnsley, Invt & Fecit on a silvered convex boss to the arch, over a silvered chapter ring with two tracks inscribed with weather indications; Variable/Snow/Much Snow/Setl'd Frost/Frost and Changeable/Rain/Much Rain/Stormy/Very Dry/Setl'd Fair/Fair, enclosing a matted centre, the trunk also fitted with a 6.75" silvered chapter ring with four tracks and two pierced brass hands, the two outer tracks representing barometric inches, 28-31, enclosing another track divided into decimals with four divisions being signified by the numbers 1 to 9 in each inch, and inner track engraved with four arrowheads in the form of a cross, within a figured and burr walnut case inlaid with ebony and boxwood stringing, surmounted by a caddy top and three brass ball finials, 66" high overall
* John Hallifax of Barnsley was a renowned maker of clocks and barometers. He was born in Springthorpe, Lincolnshire in 1694, the son of a vicar, moving to Barnsley in 1711, possibly after the death of his father, where he was established as a clockmaker. He died in 1750 and the regard to which he is held is evident in the inscription on his tombstone. He had two sons, both of whom became clockmakers
** Literature references: Nicholas Goodison 'English Barometers and Their Makers, 1680-1860', page 57; Edwin Banfield 'Barometers, Wheel or Banjo', figs 13-17; R.W. Symonds 'Dictionary of English Furniture' second edition, fig 14
*** There have been several records of this style of barometer by John Hallifax selling at auction including: The Samuel Messer Collection of English Furniture, Clocks & Barometers sold at Christie's, King Street, London on 5th December 1991, lot 12 for £32,000 and at Tennants of Leyburn in their autumn catalogue sale on 18th November 2010, lot 1404 for £40,000
**** This barometer is also sold with the book by Nicholas Goodison 'English Barometers, 1680-1860'
The case has some replaced mouldings and superstructure, but the dial and mechanism look complete and original, see images for guidance, personal viewing advised
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
30% inc VAT*
Flat Fee Registration
26.40% inc VAT*
