Vintage Barometer Appraisal

Vintage Lakeland Slate Barometer

This is a wall-mounted aneroid barometer featuring a face inset into a piece of natural rustic slate, likely originating from the Lake District in England. The slate backing has a characteristic irregular, hand-chipped silhouette with raw, textured edges and a dark grey-green charcoal hue typical of Honister or similar slate quarries. It measures approximately 8-10 inches in height. The circular barometer dial is protected by glass and a silver-toned metallic bezel. The dial features black text indicating atmospheric conditions including 'Stormy', 'Rain', 'Change', 'Fair', and 'Very Dry', with 'Weather master' printed at the bottom. The instrument uses a dual-needle system: a black indicator needle to show current pressure and a gold-colored manual set needle (often called the 'telltale') to track changes. A pre-drilled hole at the tapered top allows for wall hanging. The piece appears to be in good vintage condition with the natural irregularities of the stone serving as its primary aesthetic feature; the dial remains clear and legible without significant foxing or oxidation. This style of souvenir or giftware was popular in the mid-to-late 20th century, specifically the 1960s through the 1980s.