Tortoiseshell-veneered barometers and thermometers have frequently been wrongly attributed to André-Charles Boulle, ébéniste, ciseleur, doreur et sculpteur du Roi (maître before 1666). For instance, the ébéniste Mathieu had in his workshop in 1702, 'Deux baromètres et thermomètres à gaisne avec leur boites en octogone non finies prisée ensemble quatre vingt livres'. Other examples made during the 18th Century were called 'genre de Boule', such as that sold in the Vincent Donjeux sale, 29 April 1793, lot 563. Indeed the marchand Julliot continued manufacturing related models until the end of the 18th Century, as 'Un baromètre de marqueterie genre boule, sans cadran' was sold in the Julliot sale, 22 March 1802, lot 18.

Three further examples of this model of barometer/thermometer are recorded:-
1 - The Wallace Collection (F15) has a barometer with later movement by Bianchi, attributed to André-Charles Boulle, reproduced in F.J.B Watson, Wallace Collection Catalogues, Furniture, London, 1956, plate 3. The Wallace barometer also has several replaced mounts, including the seated figure of Geometry which is stamped by the bronzier Jules Piret who flourished between 1856-70. The Wallace barometer compares extremely closely in terms of quality with the Lockinge pair (P. Hughes, French Eighteenth Century Clocks and Barometers in the Wallace Collection, London, 1994, pp.16-17)
2 - The Musée National des Techniques, Paris (inv. CNAM 5612), has a barometer of this model
3 - A 19th Century pair from the collection of Lady Fitzgerald, 16 Mansfield Street, London, reproduced in Country Life, 7 June 1930, p. 846, fig. 4, was subsequently sold from the Estate of Mary, Viscountess Rothermere, Christie's New York, 16 April 1994, lot 103.

Finally, a related 18th Century model was sold anonymously at Sotheby's New York, 6 November 1982, lot 43.

PIERRE MARGOTIN

Pierre Margotin was born in Paris around 1625. He was appointed maître horloger in 1646 and from 1681 to 1695 he was juré of his corporation. We do not know the exact date of his death, but a certain Pierre Margotin was at the wedding of his colleague, the horloger Duponchel in 1711. However, it may well have been the son, who was also called Pierre.

The dial of the thermometer of this cartel clock, like the Wallace barometer is almost certainly engraved with the temperature scale known as the 'échelle de florence'. This scale was widely used until 1731, when it was superceded by the Réaumur scale.

Pierre Margotin essentially produced watches and only a few clocks, dated 1680-1710, have survived.

CARCANI

Carcani, 'Faiseur de baromètres', is recorded as one of the most distinguished barometer manufacturers under Louis XVI and is described in the 1773 Almanach Dauphin as 'Carcani grande rue du faubourg Saint Antoine, un des plus renommés pour sa perfection de ses baromètres et thermomètres, gradués sur les mêmes principes.' Carcany was employed by the Menus Plaisirs from 1775 to 1780 and his name is found on different Louis XVI barometers. An example with its matching clock was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 26 November 1970, lot 11 (G. de Bellaigue, The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, Fribourg, 1974, p. 46).

Two Boulle marquetry barometers signed Carcany are known: one is in the Jones Collection in the Victoria & Albert Museum (1121-1882), Catalogue of the Jones Collection, Part I, Furniture, London, 1922, p. 63, n. 241; the second one is in a private collection and is signed 'Carcani Opticien du Roy à Paris'