+44 (0) 1962 844443|info@cartermarsh.com

Watkins & Smith, London Circa 1765

Watkins & Smith, London Circa 1765

A rare George III mahogany framed perpetual calendar barometer and thermometer.

Sold


Height

42 inches

Case

The pediment shaped top surmounted by three (replaced) turned finials, the mahogany veneers framed by an outside moulding. The tympanum mounted with the barometer register plate signed signed Watkins & Smith, London, central hygrometer above the glazed aperture. The barometer tube running up the left and thermometer to the right, each with a gadrooned cistern cover.

Dial

The centre with a semi-automated Perpetual Regulation of Time calendar. Showing days of the month, length of day, sunrise, sunset, fixed feasts, tides, moon phases and signs of the zodiac. It also gives the dates of Easter from 1753 to 1852. The series of movable paper dials are mounted onto brass wheels at the back and set by ivory turns operating through the front.

Provenance

Possibly acquired by George Brodrick 3rd Viscount Midleton, d.1775

By descent to the Viscounts Midleton, Peper Harow, Godalming until 1944

Before 1968, with Hotspur Ltd.

Private collection USA

Literature

English Barometers, 1680-1860 Nicholas Goodison 1968, p.247, plate.151

Barometers, Stick or Cistern Tube Edwin Banfield, 1985, p.150, fig.194

Francis Watkins (c.1723-1784)

Francis Watkins is associated chiefly with this type of angle barometer set within a frame. He was apprenticed in 1737 to Nathaniel Adams and became a Freeman of the Spectaclemakers’ Company in 1746. By 1747, Watkins was working in Charing Cross and, from 1763 until 1774, he was in partnership with his former apprentice Addison Smith. By 1775, Watkins was issuing invoices in his own name again and he died in 1784.

Contact us about this item

Out of stock

Category:

Product Description

Francis Watkins (c.1723-1784)

Francis Watkins is associated chiefly with this type of angle barometer set within a frame. He was apprenticed in 1737 to Nathaniel Adams and became a Freeman of the Spectaclemakers’ Company in 1746. By 1747, Watkins was working in Charing Cross and, from 1763 until 1774, he was in partnership with his former apprentice Addison Smith. By 1775, Watkins was issuing invoices in his own name again and he died in 1784.

Additional information

Dimensions 5827373 cm