A very rare provincial stick barometer with its original Lombardy paper scales and constructed in solid ‘red walnut’ or mahogany with wonderful untouched patina. This unusual piece was almost certainly   made locally in Reeth in North Yorkshire and it has a number of charming features. It is surmounted by an arched moulded top with turned pillars to each side. The original lombardy paper scale with its charming unsmiling faces and various flowers reads as follows:                        

          THE GREAT BAROMETER

 Great                                       Drought                                                      

Settled                                          Fair

 Fair                                           Weather

Rain or                                        Wind

Very                                             Rainy

Great                                           Storm

JOHN                                        RITTSON

Terrill                                         the Maker

The full length trunk surround is box moulded and terminates in a beautiful turned wooden cistern cover. The mercury filled glass tube has a turned ‘red walnut’ outer cover.                       .

Date: circa 1750 – 1770

Height: 36 ⅝ in (93 cm)

* John Rittson is listed on page 183 of Edwin Banfield’s Barometer Makers and Retailers 1660 – 1900. He was working in Reeth, North Yorkshire between circa 1750 and 1770.

Interestingly this is the third very unusual ‘red walnut’ stick barometer with paper scales by early makers from Yorkshire we have owned. Both the others were by Nathan Banner from York.

HW4972