Keeping a weather eye
I was recently doing a photos hoot on Charles Street in Boston for an upcoming project and we were in the Period Furniture and Hardware Company where they had this fun cricket weathervane in the window. I was reminded how fun they can be. Beautiful works of art that we rarely get to see up close. My father had put up a small shed in my parents backyard many years ago and he built what we liked to refer to as "Cape Cod's most expensive cupola" because of the tools he needed to buy to build it and on top he mounted a whale weathervane. It was new when purchased and family lore has it that he peed on it to get a good patina going. Well, there were no witnesses, but it's a funny story.
This next pic is a little blurry, I was driving. Remember, I'm a professional blogger. Kids, don't drive and shoot!
I love the big weathervane on the tiny garage. Funny looking. To bad they just plopped onto of their tiny cupola.
On the other end of the spectrum,last simmer I visited The Mount in Lenox, MA. Edith Wharton's majestic home boasts quite a petite weathervane.
I shot this pic of Chenonceau castle in France several years ago. It boasts two identical flag weathervanes.
Here's a roundup of some pretty fantastic weathervanes around the world:
Old Father Time weather vane atop the Lords Cricket Ground in London
Flying Fish at the Billingsgate Fishmarket, London, dates to the 1870's
The Dragon weathervane atop Mary LeBow is the oldest weathervane in London, dating from 1679
Sailing Ship weathevane atop the Tower of London
Dove of Peace weathervane atop Mt. Vernon
A fabulous weathervane atop a tv station somewhere, via here
A view of Boston engraved in 1770 by Paul Revere. It is just to the left of the New Brick Church (rooster weather vane) and a few blocks south of Christ Church (Old North), the town's tallest building.
Weathervanes have been around since at least 48 b.c. (the oldest documented weathervane which was in Greece) and so antiques and vintage pieces are pretty easy to come by.
Antique Gabriel weathervane at 1st Dibs
20th Century Horse and Rider weathervane at 1st Dibs
Vintage Farmer and Pig weathervane at 1st Dibs
Antique French weathervane (or sign) at Village Antiques
And, of course, there are many new weathervanes of all shapes and sizes on the market:
Mermaid weathervane at Lakeside Ornamental
Easy Rider weathervane at Swen
Copper Sailboat weathervane at Target
What's your favorite weathervane style? For me, it's always about the mermaids!
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9 comments:
Now that is a fun post...there is no such thing on a Thai house, I wonder what they make of it all if I popped one on the roof, guess it might be a bit tough with my architectural style but perhaps next time?!
My vote is for the cricket in the window.
Great post! Our barn is adorned with the first weathervane you show, the horse, which is appropriate as it used to be a working farm. For our last home, a small Cape, I chose a crescent moon to put on top of our little tool shed which was visible from the window of our baby nursery (the window treatment fabric in the room also had a crescent moon). Of the two, I would have to say the crescent moon is my favorite since it represented us starting a family (which is what the new owners did in that house as well!)
Hi Linda, A charming post, perfect to get us in the right mood for the weekend. Here are my favorites and in that order, The Mermaid, the Dragon, Antique French, and Farmer and Pig.
I have the Horse and Rider weathervane. For now it is hiding in the lilac bush.
Have a lovely weekend.
I am with you on the mermaids. olive♥
What a great assortment of weather vanes!... they really personalize a home.
When we lived in Massachusetts we had an antique farm house with a fabulous 3 level barn and carriage house, which all had many of the old lighting rods that looked like long daggers... I just loved them... ~Terri
Am rather fond of the cricket and roosters but in our family of sailors it is more often a ship of some sort. Great post about a fun addition to make your home special.
They are fun and beatiful works of art!!! The cricket is so cute....love it! Such great photos and images.
I just wish the old ones that are in decent shape weren't so expensive...then I would have my own!
Amazingly well-collected montage of weather vanes.
These are some unique weathervane's. Thanks for sharing all these different styles. Great post.
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