Weathervane/Whirligig Circa 19th Century
Fish motifs were very popular in New England during the 19th century. Weathervanes graced the rooftops along the New England coast due to the affiliate fish trade. Weathervanes were handcrafted for a whimsical and functional aspect. The wind would set the tail spinning and the fish’s head would point in the wind’s direction. The fish was carved from 100-year-old heart pine salvaged from a barn located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Buttermilk paint was applied in various layers then removed to give piece a well-worn surface. The piece is hallmarked and mounted on a metal mount for display purposes.