Wall barometer-thermometer 1755 - 1765

This wall barometer-thermometer, standing at 45 ¾ inches, was crafted by Lange de Bourbon in the 18th century. During the Enlightenment, scientific instruments like this weren't just about measuring the world, but also about demonstrating one’s wealth, taste, and social standing. Notice the elaborate gilt-bronze and wood marquetry; these materials and decorative techniques were highly prized and signaled the owner's access to global trade networks. The barometer and thermometer would have been conversation pieces, displayed prominently in homes to encourage discussion about science and nature. For women, who were often excluded from formal scientific circles, these objects provided a way to engage with intellectual ideas, albeit within the confines of domestic life. Consider how this object, in its display of both scientific curiosity and opulent aesthetics, reflects the complex social dynamics of its time. The barometer-thermometer reminds us that even the pursuit of knowledge can be deeply intertwined with issues of class and identity.