A RARE GEORGE III INLAID MAHOGANY MERCURY WHEEL BAROMETER Baptista Ronchetti, Manchester, circa 1790 The 8.5 inch circular silvered register signed Bap'st Ronchetti, Fecit and with additional inscription H. Lomas, Adlington to the centre within scale calibrated in barometric inches incorporating an engraved motif of Masonic tools suspended from a ribbon and with the usual weather observations to outer track, set behind hinged circular glazed moulded wood bezel incorporating additional recording hand to the glass and with chevron line border decoration, the chevron-edged case with open triangular pediment above arch-glazed Fahrenheit scale spirit tube thermometer to the baluster shaped upright inlaid with fan quadrants to upper angles and three oval radial paterae to lower margin, the rounded base with further oval patera over conforming fan rosette. 96cm (38.5ins) high excluding finial. Provenance: The Selwyn Demmy Collection. Baptista Ronchetti is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS & RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working from Spear Street Manchester from 1785 and then later at 15 High Street until around 1810. Ronchetti emigrated from Tavernerio, near Lake Como, Italy in 1785 later sending for his son, Charles Joshua, and his nephew Louis Casartelli who were both accompanied by Dominic Bolongaro. Initially all three worked in Ronchetti's workshop before branching-out and setting-up on their own. Baptista Ronchetti is a well-regarded maker known for his stick and angle barometers and was one of the first to produce wheel barometers of the type which subsequently became the predominant design produced throughout the 19th century. The current lot is notable in being a particularly early example of its type most likely being made in the 1790's. Early features include the hinged wooden bezel (which is secured by a lock with keyhole set in the side of the case) as well as the truncated design of the top of the case. The additional name engraved on the dial is for H. Lomas of Adlington who is recorded by Banfield as working circa 1800-20. The presence of Lomas's signature (executed in a different hand) would suggest that he probably re-sold the barometer perhaps 20 years or so after it was made. Condition Report: Tube is filled with no obvious airlocks, the float mechanism etc. is intact and operational however will require setting-up/calibration. The dial/register is in fine original condition albeit with some minor discolouration/tarnishing; the front glass is cracked and the bezel has had some minor historic repairs to the chevron line decoration as well as a small loss. The thermometer is in good condition although the tube is a replacement which may have required the aperture for the bulb in the plate to be enlarged slightly . The case is in good with limited to a few small losses/historic repairs to the chevron banding, some slight shrinkage cracking to the edge veneers and other minor bumps, scuffs and age related blemishes. Condition Report Disclaimer