Barometer and thermometer c. 1760

This barometer and thermometer, made by Jan Paauw junior, tells us a lot about the rise of science in the 18th century. In countries such as the Netherlands, new scientific instruments were signs of wealth and status. The barometer would have been an intriguing object for elite households. By tracking temperature and air pressure, it provided insight into the natural world. The barometer and thermometer is highly decorated, which suggests it was made for display. This domestic object shows the way science became a symbol of elite status during the Enlightenment. As social historians, we can learn a great deal about the period through such objects, using sources such as household inventories and scientific publications to trace the cultural history of science. The barometer and thermometer is not simply a scientific instrument, it is also a social artifact.