Art Deco Turquoise Bakelite Wall Thermometer by Negretti & Zambra London

For sale, an Art Deco Style Wall Thermometer by Negretti & Zambra, London.

Comprised of a turquoise Bakelite frame with graduated Art Deco style pediment and base with rounded edges and with linear holes cut through the base in order to expose the thermometer bulb to air flow.

The frame holds a silvered and engraved scale measuring for both Fahrenheit and Centigrade readings via a red spirit thermometer to the centre. The maker’s name of Negretti & Zambra is engraved at the crest with made in England at the base.

A stylish wall thermometer measuring 22cms in height and 4.5 in width, the company’s 1950’s publications advertised them as:

“The popular room thermometer in its contemporary form is in a plastic case to harmonise with most decorative schemes in the home, hotel, school, club, hospital, ship or commercial or public premises.”

It seems that there is not a place in the world where this super little thermometer would not feel at home! Whatever you thoughts on the entire list, the example does indeed have a contemporary feel and was certainly one of the more design led pieces that Negretti produced in their latter years of public retailing. A great looking piece.

Negretti & Zambra were a leading name in the production 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 1930 - 1950