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A ‘Royal’ barometer by John Russell, Watchmaker to the Prince Regent

Offered by: Wick Antiques LTD

Description
This superbly crafted wheel barometer and thermometer has a mahogany case surrounded by twisted brass stringing and central panels of foliate tendrils above Russell’s signature thistle motif in black and gilt verre églomisé. It is surmounted by a brass Prince of Wales feather finial. The long, rectangular thermometer plate is inscribed ‘Thermometers: Beaumar, Fahrenheit, Royal Society of London’, the latter being an early attempt to standardise temperature measurement. The circular dial is inscribed ‘Changeable, Fair, Settled Fair, Much Rain’ and ‘Rain’ and signed across the centre ‘J Russell, Falkirk, Invt et Fecit, Watch Maker to his R.H the Prince Regent’. The reverse has a paper label ‘Russell, Iden Collection Inventory 1896’. Scottish, circa 1815.

Provenance: Mr Walter Iden.

Published: Percy G. Dawson, The Iden Clock Collection, Woodbridge, 1987. No.125, p.280.

These ‘royal barometers’ were so named because John Russell of Falkirk gave one each to George III and the Prince Regent (later George IV). A contemporary account in The Edinburgh Evening Courant of 6 July 1812 states ‘On Monday, Mr. Russell of Falkirk, waited on his Royal Highness at Carlton House, when he had the honour of delivering a superb gold chronometer of his making, according to H.R.H. gracious order. His Royal Highness, with his usual condescension, was pleased to declare his satisfaction with this specimen of Mr. Russell’s workmanship’ [sic]. There is an invoice from Russell in the Royal Archives for a chronometer and two barometers for £153 6s. John Russell (1745-1817) was one of the best Scottish clock and watchmakers of his time. He was appointed Watchmaker to the Prince of Wales in 1811 and is also famous for his wheel barometers. Other examples can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the National Museum of Scotland.

An interesting modern footnote is that Garrard, the Crown Jewellers at the time, commissioned O. Comitti & Son to reproduce this barometer, as a limited edition of 200, to commemorate the Royal marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.

More Information

Origin:	Scotland
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Mahogany & Metal
Condition:	Good.
Creation Date:	Circa 1815
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Patterns:	Florals/Botanical
Incollect Reference #:	560568

Dimensions

W.	13 in;	H.	47.5 in;
W.	33.02 cm;	H.	120.65 cm;

Message from Seller:

Wick Antiques was established by Charles Wallrock in the early 1980s. Having grown up in the Antiques world Charles developed an extensive wealth of knowledge. Starting out as a ‘man with a van’ he quickly gained a good reputation and embarked on a longstanding relationship with Harrods. He was later joined by his wife, Caroline Wallrock. Caroline having completed a Persian degree, went on to study at Christie’s fine art and then joined Sotheby’s specializing in Islamic and Japanese works of art