Portable barometer 1690 - 1700

This is a portable barometer made by Daniel Quare, a Quaker instrument maker in late 17th-early 18th century London. This object is made of gilt brass, glass, boxwood, and steel. The barometer reflects a moment in history when scientific innovation was intertwined with commerce and social status. As weather became a subject of both scientific inquiry and everyday interest, objects like this allowed individuals to participate in new ways of understanding and interacting with the natural world. For those who could afford it, this barometer might have been a domestic status symbol, demonstrating both wealth and an engagement with modern science. Daniel Quare was not only a skilled craftsman, but also a member of the Quaker community, a religious group that often faced discrimination. His success reflects the complex negotiation of identity and opportunity in the society of the time. Consider how this barometer embodies a specific cultural moment.