Louis XVI-style barometer and thermometer in carved and gilded wood, 18th century

This carved and gilded wooden barometer and thermometer dates from the 18th century. It is in the Louis XVI style. The upper section is crowned by a canopy suspended from a ribbon bow, overhanging a mercury-column thermometer framed by rows of pearls and surmounted by a daisy. The structure flares out around a circular dial indicating atmospheric conditions such as ‘Very Dry’, ‘Rain’ or ‘Variable’, encircled by a chiselled border. The sculpted decoration combines baskets of flowers, two cornucopias laden with fruit, as well as clusters of berries and acanthus leaves at the base. The whole features finely crafted gilding on wood with a neoclassical design.