Pennsylvania - Weathervanes

Prancing horse weathervane, attributed to Jewel & Co. Waltham, Massachusetts, CA 1860: Prancing horse weathervane by A.H. Jewell & Co., Waltham, MA. Made of molded copper, with a cast zinc head, applied copper ears...

Early weathervane, in the form of a clipper ship, with exceptional, untouched surface, found in Michigan, circa 1850 This terrific and especially early ship weathervane...

Quill weathervanes of the late 19th century are fairly standard from maker-to-maker. Most are sheet copper, with a rippled surface to resemble a feather, and a hollow shaft and tip, sometimes weighted. This example is both earlier and better looking than most of its counterparts. Made of copper, iron, and zinc, probably about the time of the Civil War, though possible just prior, there is a hollow body copper tip, followed by a shaft of the same that joins with a zinc shaft and body for weight. To this a rather heavy, flat, sheet copper feather is pinned with splines on either side with hammered copper rivets. The shaft is of iron, now rusted, pitted, and worn to a beautiful patina, with a molded copper ball finial...

COW WEATHERVANE EXCELLENT SCALE, GREAT, BOXY FORM, AND BEAUTIFUL, GILDED SURFACE, L.W. CUSHING & SONS, BOSTON, CA 1880 Imposing cow weathervane with ...

THE HORSE GEORGE M. PATCHEN WITH A SULKEY AND DRIVER, ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST IMPRESSIVE AMONG THIS FORM OF WEATHERVANE, UNIDENTIFIED MAKER, ca 1860-1890's : This is the horse George M. Patchen with a sulky and driver. Made of hammered copper with iron wire wheels, frame and whip, and reins made of copper sheeting, the likeness is truly full-bodied and the scale is especially large and impressive. Patchen was an early participant in the world of American harness racing and his likeness was produced for many years by numerous makers. He was a Morgan Horse, sired by the horse Cassius M. Clay. Foaled in 1849, he was bred by Richard F. Carman of Monmouth County, NJ. He was bay, approximately 16 hands and very successful on the racetrack winning 20 races with a time of 2:23 1/2. He died in 1864, but his popularity carried throughout the latter 19th century and the form was still available until after 1900. Illustrations in the catalogues of weathervane manufacturers probably did not always represent the actual vane precisely. That said, a very accurate depiction of Patchen in this particular style is represented by the illustrations of no less than 4 makers, including Thomas W. Jones of New York (1882 catalogue, p. 7), L.W. Cushing & Sons of Boston (1883 catalogue, p. 8), William Buck of Philadelphia (1892 catalogue, p. 5), and W.A. Snow Iron Works of Boston (1904 catalogue, p. 7). These illustrations are nearly identical to one-another and accurate to the position of the all features, including the angle and shape of the head, mane, and tail. Head position while running is a key identifier in race horses in general and particularly so in 19th century weathervanes, most of which were copied from Currier & Ives prints. The hat worn by the driver in a famous Currier and Ives illustration of a race between George M. Patchen and Ethan Allen, clearly illustrates the one worn here by Patchen's driver, who sits back fairly far from the rear of the horse--a trait not generally shared by the drivers in other large horse and sulky weathervanes...

Prancing horse weathervane, attributed to Jewel & Co. Waltham, Massachusetts, circa 1860: Prancing horse weathervane by A.H. Jewell & Co., Waltham, MA. Made of molded copper with a cast zinc head, applied copper ears...

Diminutive Rooster Weathervane With Pleasing And Legitimate Early Surface, circa 1875-1890s: At just 18" tall and 19" wide, this full-bodied, copper, rooster weathervane is espec...

HORSE WEATHERVANE MADE OF SHEET BRONZE WITH IRON FITTINGS AND SUPERB FOLK QUALITY, CA 1840-60: Sheet bronze horse weathervane with beautiful form that ...

RARE BANNERETTE WEATHERVANE WITH A BUILT-IN SPINNER, 1880-1890's: Bannerette weathervane with a rare built-in spinner, an elaborate scrollwork profile, and a diamond-shaped doubl...

BANNERETTE WEATHERVANE, MADE BY J.W. FISKE (NEW YORK), IN AN ELEGANT STYLE WITH A BEAUTIFUL, PIERCED, FLAG AND FAN DESIGN, 1880-1890's: This elegant bannerette weathervane was mad...

LARGE EAGLE WEATHERVANE, A PARTICULARLY EARLY EXAMPLE FOR THIS FORM, A GREAT FIND WITH LEGITIMATE EARLY SURFACE AND APPROPRIATE WEAR, CA 1850-80: Eagle ...

Rooster weathervane, full-bodied copper with untouched, natural verdegris surface that scores a 9.5 or better on a scale of 1-10. Made circa 1870-1900. The stand, also antique, is probably a general store display...