Bidspirit auction | A Negretti & Zambra mercury

A Negretti & Zambra mercury wheel or banjo barometer, crafted from polished dark wood, likely mahogany or rosewood. The case features a classic banjo shape with a rounded top, a narrow central neck, and a wider circular section for the barometer dial, terminating in a decorative scrolling pediment at the base, which includes a central turned boss. The dial, appearing silvered or enameled, displays weather indications such as ”Rain, ” ”Change, ” ”Fair, ” ”Much Rain, ” ”Set Fair, ” ”Stormy, ” and ”Very Dry, ” alongside pressure readings from 28 to 31 inches and an inner scale from 1 to 9, centered by a starburst motif. A brass bezel surrounds the dial. A legible paper label on the reverse provides ”DIRECTIONS FOR SETTING THE MERCURIAL WHEEL OR DIAL BAROMETER IN ACTION” and identifies the maker as ”NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA, Meteorological Instrument Makers to the Government” with London addresses including Holborn Viaduct and Regent Street. Height: 1 metre. A/F.