Edmund Czajkowski & Son Ltd
96 Tor O' Moor Road
Woodhall Spa
Lincolnshire. LN10 6SB

Tel. 01526 352895
enquiries@czajkowski-furniture.co.uk

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 Michael Czajkowski, of Edmund Czajkowski & Son Ltd., the present owner of the firm, assembling a Fitzroy barometer, after cleaning and case restoration.

We conserve and restore both aneroid and mercury barometers, both the movements and the cases. We carry out restoration on Admiral Fitzroy Barometers and Marine Mercury Barometers. We also make and restore weather veins and sun dials.

For mercury and aneroid barometers the mechanisms must be as friction free as possible. Over time they get dusty and need dismantling and cleaning. We service the mechanisms in barometers which will then allow them to give a reliable reading.  If necessary we can replace broken tubes and in may cases remove air bubbles from mercury tubes. We can also repair and supply parts such as thermometer tubes, hygrometer, level, bevelled glass and adjuster knobs. We also re-silver the scales as required. 

Michael Czajkowski is an accredited conservator with the Institute of Conservation (ICON), a member of the British Antique Furniture Restorers (B.A.F.R.A.) and as such adhere to the best principle of conservation practice.

Below are some examples of our work.

Wheel barometer by Dickinson of Boston, Lincolnshire. Above, after case restoration, re-silvering (a silver coating applied to the brass plates or dials) of the scales and overhauling the back rack mechanism that translates the change in level of mercury to the pointer (hand). 

Left: the completed barometer restoration.

Backrack, after overhauling and installation.

 The central pulley can be seen near the top of the brass plate and the glass weights (floats) attached by a cord to the pulley can be seen near the base. One weight (left) sits in the U shaped tube containing the mercury, floating on the mercury, the other (right) is a counterbalance. 

To work correctly, the mechanism must be as friction free as possible, which is why they need to be restored by a competent person.

 Restored mahogany cased stick barometer by Gali, of London, c.1800.

In both barometers the air pressure changes the level of a column of mercury.

Late Victorian (c. 1870) aneroid barometer. Right in pieces. Left after assembly. 
Underneath the enamelled dial was a paper version (far right)

Mahogany cased stick barometer by Carter of Ripon, Yorkshire, after restoration.

Note the unusual circular vernier scale at the top, used to record fine variations when the pointer is adjusted by the right hand finial, at the top.

Restored barograph (records changes in pressure on a rotating drum) by Negretti & Zambra, London, c.1910.

'Farmer’s barometer' by Negretti and Zambra, London, c.1880.

Above & Right: After dismantling, prior to restoration and cleaning,
Far Left: Completely restored

Dutch wheel barometer.

Above: Before re-assembly

Right: After restoration.

Fitzroy barometer restored for The Jewish Museum, London.

All glassware and fittings were removed. The cornice was removed so that the split in the cornice and broken moulding could be repaired. The splits and damage to the cornice were repaired by splicing a piece of matching walnut and carving to shape.

The accumulated dirt and soot was then cleaned off. The left part of the carving has been cleaned to show the difference.

Unusual painted pine barometer.

The barometer arrived without scales and stripped to the bare wood. It was re-painted in colours similar that would match the period, c.1810-30 and to blend with the client’s furnishings. New paper scales were made based on limited evidence remaining. 

Oak case made for Fortin barometer. The barometer was restored with new tube and glass sleeve.  The black paintwork was also touched up where chipped.

These barometers were designed as scientific instruments. They were painted black on a brass case to absorb the heat in the room so that an accurate reading could be taken.  Most collectors remove the black paint since they prefer to see a polished brass case.