Jason Clarke Antiques

Description

For sale a Large Twentieth Century Wall Thermometer by Negretti & Zambra, London.

Comprised of a solid oak scale back with domed top and chamfered edges. Measuring 35 cms high and 12cms wide, this very simple and late production example bears a transfered scale with both Fahrenheit and Centigrade scales and the maker’s name, Negretti & Zambra, London” to the top.

The large, red spirit filled thermometer is held to the base by two brass clasps and the thermometer bulb is further protected by a brass grill at the base.

In itself somewhat plainer than this company’s Victorian and Edwardian output but interesting nevertheless to see such a late example.

Negretti & Zambra were a leading name in the production and retailing of meteorological and scientific instruments and had a company history dating back to 1850 although their parents were amongst those Italian emigres that bolstered the British meteorological instrument making industry at the turn of the century.

Throughout their long and esteemed history they exhibited at British and international industrial fairs and became makers to both Queen Victoria and Edward VII. Owing to changes in the business, the firm ceased the public retailing of scientific instruments sometime around the late 1960’s and continued with a focus on the aviation industry in numerous guises until its eventual liquidation in the year 2000. They are today perhaps the most collected of the scientific instrument firms which bears testament to the quality of their work.

Circa 1950