BAROMETER OF STYLE LOUIS XIV, IN THE TASTE OF ANDRÉ-CHARLES BOULLE (1642-1732), XIXth CENTURY
In tortoiseshell and brass marquetry, chased and gilded bronze ornamentation, the dial decorated at the centre with a female mask and encircled by a laurel tor, the upper part in a truncated pyramid topped by a renown and adorned with a female profile inscribed in a medallion, resting on a console decorated with acanthus leaves
H. 118 cm (46 ½ in.)
l. W.: 28 cm (11 in.)
A Louis XIV style gilt-bronze mounted, tortoiseshell and brass marquetry barometer, in the taste of André-Charles Boulle (1644-1732), 19th century

This barometer, dating from the 19th century, was inspired by a model attributed to André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732); according to Jean-Nérée Ronfort, the production of ornamental barometers seems to have been a virtual monopoly of André Charles Boulle's workshop, then of his sons (cfr. J.N. Ronfort, "André-Charles Boulle 1642-1732 Un nouveau style pour l'Europe", 2009, p.228).
Our barometer is to be compared in particular with two examples, one of which has a top decorated with a fleur-de-lys topped by a royal crown and is kept in the Jones collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (cfr. H. Ottomeyer, P. Proschel et al. "Vergoldete Bronzen", Munich, 1986, Vol. I, fig. 1.5.2); another, the top adorned with a woman draped in an antique style holding a torch, is in the collections of the Conservatoire national des Arts et Métiers and is illustrated in A. de Champeaux, "Portefeuille des Arts décoratifs", Paris, 1888-1889, pl. 65.
A number of comparable barometers, sometimes dated from the Louis XIV period and sometimes from the Louis XVI period, based on a number of construction features, have been on sale in recent years :
- Christie's London, Wildenstein Collection, December 15, 2005,
lot 222
- Christie's New York, Riahi Collection, November 2, 2000, lot 31.
Fashion for Boulle marquetry is making a strong comeback under the reign of
of Louis XVI and will not falter until the end of the 19th century.
A comparable copy, although the top has an antique urn in place of the Renommée present here, was part of the Robert de Balkany collections (cfr. Sotheby's Paris sale, 28-29 September 2016, lot 338).
* Information to buyers :
Lot composed of organic material from endangered species, import or export restrictions may apply or a CITES certificate may be required.
For exit from the EU, a CITES re-export certificate may be required, which is the responsibility of the prospective buyer.
* Information to buyers:
Lot made of organic materials from endangered species, import or export restrictions may apply, a CITES certificate may be required. Each country has its own law-making about it. Any potential buyer must check, before bidding, if he is entitled to import this lot within his country of residence.
For an exit from the EU, a re-export CITES certificate may be necessary and will be at the future buyer's expense.