Title18th century French BarometerDatec 1792-1834About this objectThis barometer is an example of a scientific instrument by the French maker Jecker, who established his workshop in Paris after training in England; during a period when most scientific instruments were produced by English makers. The barometer features the Réaumur scale, where 0 degrees represents freezing and 80 degrees indicates boiling, a system that has since been replaced by Celsius.Object No.88.85Physical descriptionThis is composed of a hollow wooden elongated form. The front is decorated with strips of polished and lacquered veneer. The brass backplate of the rectangular thermometer and circular barometer are recessed into the wooden surface. Their frameworks are proud.
Hinged into the rear surface is a door, with access to the instruments (mercury filled tubes and stopcock).
1cm below the upper end at the rear is a metal plate for the hanging of barometer.
The face and framework of the barometer is composed of brass, with engraved lettering and numerals etc.
The face is protected by a circular glass plate.
The face and fittings of the thermometer is composed of brass. The framework is wooden, with a protective rectangular glass plate.
The brass surfaces are polished and lacquered.
The stop cock is open when the handle is at 90° with the tube and closed when in line with the tube.CreatorJecker, François-AntoineInscriptions & marksThe Barometer includes the weather variations with: "Tempete", "Grande Pluie", "Pluie ou Vent", "Beau Temps", "Beau Fixe", Tres-sec", as well as the inscription of the maker "Jecker a Paris". The thermometer incluces the inscription "Echelle de Reaumur" with the related degrees of freezeing point.DimensionsH: 66 mm W: 188 mm L: 1000 mmPlace madeParis, FranceMaterialMahoganyBrassPolished and lacquered veneerGlassSourceLa Perouse MuseumProvenance Donated by Secretariat D'Etat au Pacifique Sud, a French government department in Noumea in New CaledoniaCredit lineReceived from Secretariat d'Etat au Pacifique SudAcquisition date1988On displayNoTypeMuseum objectsOrganisations (Detailed entries)La Perouse Museum (La Perouse, N.S.W.)ThemesEuropean arrivalsScience and communication
Jecker, François-Antoine, 18th century French Barometer (c 1792-1834). Randwick City Council, accessed 25/01/2026, https://ourstory.randwick.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/12334
