Cartel barometer (one of a pair) 1705 - 1715

This Cartel barometer, one of a pair, was created by André Charles Boulle, a cabinetmaker working in late 17th and early 18th century France. Boulle worked during the reign of Louis XIV, and his work reflects the opulence and grandeur of the French Baroque style, meant to glorify the King and State. With its intricate gilt bronze detailing and imposing presence, this barometer speaks to the period’s emphasis on both artistry and scientific inquiry. The faces of the lions and of the classical figure at the bottom reflect the era’s fascination with control, power, and status, which were also intensely gendered: men were associated with reason and governance, while women were relegated to the domestic sphere. Consider how these themes resonated within the French court, a hotbed of political intrigue and social maneuvering. The barometer, beyond its functional purpose, becomes a statement piece, embodying the era’s complex interplay of aesthetics, power, and identity.