Weathervane: Sheep

Date1875-1900

MediumCopper, zinc alloy, and gilt

DimensionsOverall: 20 x 29 1/2 x 3in. (50.8 x 74.9 x 7.6cm)

Credit LineFrom the collection of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; gift of the Museum of Modern Art

Object number1932.800.6

DescriptionCopper weathervane ewe, caste and hammered in two sections. Head of zinc caste in two sections, and soldered on at neck. Sheet copper ears folded in half in pinned back position, and soldered to head. Face smooth and poorlyv delineated. Wiggley vertical lines indicate sheeps fleece. Fleece on legs runs down to hocks, and legs smooth. Sheep's tail visible. Body is like long thick rectangle. Fleece fairly stylized. Stands on horizontal pole. ‚
Label TextFarm animals were popular subjects for smiths who produced weather vanes and wind directionals during the nineteenth century. By the end of the century, copper became a favored material because it was easy to work and durable.
This sheep bears some resemblance to L. W. Cushing & Sons' "Cotswold Sheep" weather vane, although the dimensions fo the two varnes differ significantly enough to make an attribution to that firm questionable. No other example of this particular vane is known.
ProvenanceFound in Bucks County, Pa., by Edith Gregor Halpert, Downtown Gallery, New York, NY; acquired from Halpert by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; given by the latter to The Museum of Modern Art, New York, N. Y., in 1939; given by MoMA to CWF in June 1954.