A brass and enamel painted desk compendium.  This stunning and exceptional quality piece features a clock, barometer, thermometer, and Hygrometer on each of the four sides, and is set with a compass on the top.  Each of the four windows is set with a polished gold plated brass bezel which pops in contrast to the , white surround.  The sloped base which the cube sits on is hinged allowing for it to be easily turned.

These "Weather Stations" as they were commonly known, were the height of luxury for any wealthy home to have on a desk, or in the library.  This particular model was made to be retailed by the American luxury retailer; Tiffany & Co..  The compendium itself was Swiss made, and would have been contracted out by Tiffany to a specialist making pieces like this.  It was during this time that Tiffany was partnering with a select few luxury Swiss watch makers such as Omega, Rolex and Patek Phillipe.  The piece is not signed, but it would have been a specialist making instruments like this in Switzerland at the time.  Such is the quality, and finishing.

The clock itself is a quartz powered clock with mechanical parts.  An early quartz analog combination that were popular at the time with watch and clock makers keen to embrace the new technology sweeping the horological world.  A beautiful gold plated dial with thick enameled Arabic numerals with fine chapter ring, signed "Tiffany & Co", and "Swiss" just below the six. The time is set and would by pulling out the clock from the edges.  This is how the other pieces are accessed, in the back via removing the clock element.

Desk compendiums were very popular with wealthy and important figures throughout the twentieth century, and were made by, and sold through a number of luxury retailers.  Examples have been found with different brand names on the dials such as; 'Kirby Beard Paris' (an old English retailer who established a luxury boutique in Paris in 1878), 'Hermès', Asprey and Cartier amongst the notable ones.   This Tiffany & Co. piece is very rare, especially in its presented condition.

The piece is excellent throughout.  The red glazed paintwork makes the compendium pop, and is very unlike anything else made in this style.  They tended to be a lot more 'traditional'.  It makes it look a lot more modern, and feels almost like a piece of 'Pop Art'. Made in Switzerland, circa 1970.