Tennants Auctioneers
Lot 786
A Rare George III Mahogany Angle Barometer with Perpetual Regulation of Time Dial, signed H Pyefinch, London, circa 1765, architectural pediment with three turned brass finials, moulded outer frame borders, angled mercury tube secured by brass caps and terminating to a fluted moulded cistern cover, thermometer tube on the opposite side also terminating to a fluted moulded cistern cover, register dial plate signed H Pyefinch London, central hygrometer dial, glazed centre showing a printed Perpetual Regulation of Time dial, apertures for equation of days/days of the month, sun rises/sun sets/The fixd Feasts, day of the month/The zodiac signs, high water at London Bridge, with calendars adjusted by winding squares to the sides, 109cm high, 69cm wide see illustration Henry Pyefinch (1763-90) is recorded as working at the Golden Quadrant, SUN and Spectacles, 67 Cornhill, London in 1763. In 1765, in conjunction with J.H.de Magellan, a Portuguese scientist, he patented an instrument to measure the effect of the weight of the atmosphere and the variations caused by heat and cold. See Banfield (Edwin) Barometers Makers and Retailers 1660-1900, pg.177. 06.10.17, Front of the case below the dial register with multiple cracks and splits, other parts of the case with cracks to the veneers and veneers lifting, the angle mercury tube is damaged with cracks and chips, no mercury is visible in the angle tube, thermometer tube is broken and 3/4 of the tube is missing, brass dials and mounts are all discoloured, central printed card/paper dial is discoloured but nicely aged, dial edges with some splits and tears, dial top left hand side corner with 40mm by 5mm length piece missing, adjustment knobs missing, barometer in need of restoration.
