Horse Weathervane

Date1875-1900

MediumIron, sheet iron.

DimensionsOverall: 22 x 23 x 1 1/16in. (55.9 x 58.4 x 2.7cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1969.800.1

DescriptionSheet metal horse with two legs raised. Standing on horizontal bar. Supported by a vertical rod. Nail heads cover the body. The mouth is open, two ears, flat tail. Reinforced by pieces of sheet metal riveted onto side that holds vertical support. Right side a solid sheet of metal, with raised foreleg reinforced with another sheet of metal. Left side reinforced vertically be heavier piece of metal from arch of neck through supporting leg to horizontal beam. Horse attached onto missing vertical pole by heavy iron bar at top and two arches of sheet metal riveted onto body to hold the pole in place and yet allow horse to swivel in the wind. Stomach, tail and hind leg touching ground are all reinforced with second thin sheet of sheet metal. Horizontal bar has heavier piece.
Label TextThis horse weather vane is carefully cut out of a single sheet of iron and mounted onto a supporting rod so that it can swing in the wind. The weak areas are reinforced by additional sheets of iron cut to the desired shape and riveted into place. Although the silhouette is fairly stylized, and rather crudely made, the maker managed to capture the essence of the horse, and even to suggest in form and stance, the well-known trotting horse "Hambleton."
ProvenanceFrom Pennsyvlania.