Automobile Weathervane, 1910-1920

THF145466 / Automobile Weathervane, 1910-1920
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Artifact Overview

Weathervanes point into the direction of the wind. This helped viewers anticipate weather changes before local forecasts became common after 1920. Functional vanes required a basic pointing device and directional arms, but manufacturers added decorative elements, or ornaments, to appeal to consumer interests. Changing transportation technologies became popular symbols of modernity during the late-19th and early-20th centuries.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Weathervane

Date Made

1910-1920

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

76.80.5

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Copper (Metal)
Gilding (Material)

Color

Gold (Color)

Dimensions

Width: 12 in
Length: 36 in

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    Manufacturers – first around Boston, Massachusetts, and then elsewhere – produced weathervanes commercially by the 1850s. They featured large-scale ornaments depicting a broad range of subjects. As weathervanes became obsolete meteorological tools during the early 20th century, their ornaments became prized collectibles. These examples help us understand weathervanes' rich history of craftsmanship, symbolism, and public engagement with the past.