A Barometer is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure and predict changes in weather. First developed in the seventeenth century, antique barometers became both practical scientific instruments and decorative furnishings, particularly during the Georgian and Victorian periods. Common forms include stick barometers, wheel barometers and aneroid barometers, often crafted from mahogany, oak, walnut or giltwood with brass fittings and engraved dials.