Ethan Allen Weathervane
Antique 1880s American Folk Art Weathervanes
Copper
Antique 19th Century American Weathervanes
Copper, Zinc
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century Folk Art Weathervanes
Copper, Zinc
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Copper, Iron
Antique 19th Century American Weathervanes
Copper
20th Century American Weathervanes
Antique 19th Century American Weathervanes
Antique 19th Century American Weathervanes
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Wall-mounted Sculptures
Copper
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Copper
Antique 19th Century American Weathervanes
Antique 19th Century American Weathervanes
Copper, Zinc
Antique 19th Century American Weathervanes
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Antique 19th Century American Weathervanes
Antique Late 19th Century North American Folk Art Weathervanes
Copper
People Also Browsed
Mid-20th Century French Benches
Concrete, Steel
Late 20th Century Japanese Primitive Side Chairs
Cedar
20th Century English Country Dining Room Tables
Pine
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Aluminum, Brass
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Bronze
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
20th Century Art Nouveau Table Lamps
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Modern Side Tables
Slate
Antique 1820s Italian Directoire Cabinets
Fir
Antique 1790s Italian Neoclassical Revival Cupboards
Fir
Antique 1820s Italian Neoclassical Revival Blanket Chests
Fir
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Gesso, Shell, Wood
Antique 1840s Italian Other Blanket Chests
Fir
Antique 1850s American Gothic Benches
Pine
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
Antique 19th Century French Daybeds
Bronze, Steel
Finding the Right Weathervanes for You
Whether it’s mounted on a mantel or hung flat against a wall in the living room or entryway, antique and vintage weathervanes can prove a striking decorative touch in your home.
Weathervanes are instruments that indicate wind direction. They are also referred to as wind vanes, wind gauges or weathercocks, but regardless of what we call them, most weathervanes will perform in the same way.
Weathervanes typically consist of a gravity-centered rotating horizontal arrow or other structure that is mounted on a stationary vertical axis. When the wind blows, the horizontal piece moves freely, rotating to indicate the wind’s direction as well as its speed. Andronicus, a Greek astronomer, crafted one of the earliest iterations of the weathervane in approximately 48 B.C. His bronze design featured the head and torso of a man but the tail of a fish. Later, weathervanes could be seen atop church steeples and towers throughout Europe. The oldest weathervane is Italian in origin and assumes the silhouette of a rooster. It is a copper weathervane, said to have originated between 820 and 830 A.D. and can be found in the Museo di Santa Giulia in Brescia, Italy.
Today, antique and vintage weathervanes are collectible sculptural works in any interior. They are celebrated for their place in the rich tradition of American folk art as well as their technological innovation.
Over the course of the 19th century, as the popularity of and demand for weathervanes broadened in the United States, blacksmiths, farmers and other tradesmen created weathervanes in the forms of cows, horses and other animals for barns in rural farmland. Commercial manufacturers in major cities took to producing all manner of weathervanes that were marketed in mail-order catalogs of the era.
When decorating with weathervanes, if you’ve decided against mounting your cast-iron painted horse weathervane on your mantel to complement your farmhouse-style decor, there are other options. You could repurpose your vintage weathervane as a provocative lighting fixture and hang it above your dining-room table, or dot the walls of your mudroom with weathervanes where they might double as racks for coats or other outerwear. Create a gallery-style hang as a focal point in your living room, grouping weathervanes that share a single theme or material. Because weathervanes have taken on many forms over the years, you’re likely to find a style that best fits your personality.
If positioned outdoors, a painted or varnished wood weathervane will resist harsh weather conditions, while copper weathervanes will resist erosion and usually come at an affordable price.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique and vintage weathervanes and other folk art today.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024Ethan Allen furniture is more than 90 years old. Brothers-in-law Nat Ancell and Ted Baumritter founded the company in Beecher Falls, Vermont, in 1932. Initially, the company manufactured housewares and then branched out into furniture making after buying out a bankrupt furniture maker in 1936. Ancell and Baumritter named their first furniture line, Ethan Allen, after a Revolutionary War leader from Vermont. Shop a range of Ethan Allen furniture on 1stDibs.
- Is Ethan Allen a luxury brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Yes, Ethan Allen is a luxury brand. The American furniture maker provides customers with the ability to create custom-designed pieces built to suit their needs and preferences, fitting the definition of luxury. Ethan Allen produces its furniture out of fine materials under strict craftsmanship standards to ensure quality. Shop a collection of Ethan Allen furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Ethan Allen owns and operates eight different manufacturing facilities where it produces its own furniture. Six of those facilities are located in the United States and one is in Mexico with another one residing in the Honduras. Shop a collection of Ethan Allen furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify Ethan Allen furniture, search for maker's marks on hidden areas like the insides of drawers, the backs of casegoods, the bases of sofas and the undersides of chair seats and tabletops. Nearly all pieces crafted by the American maker display the Ethan Allen name. Some furnishings may also feature production dates and location markings. These details and the appearance of the maker's marks can be useful in identifying the style name and other characteristics of your furniture. Consult trusted online resources for images of Ethan Allen's logo designs from over the years. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can also aid you in the identification process. Explore a variety of furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, most Ethan Allen tables are made at least partially out of real wood. Early pieces tend to feature solid wood, but more modern tables may combine wood veneers with engineered wood. Shop a variety of Ethan Allen tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024Yes, Ethan Allen sofas are generally of good quality. The most durable sofas produced by the American furniture maker are typically those that feature solid hardwood frames and eight-way hand-tied spring systems. Most vintage pieces and some contemporary ones include these features. Shop a collection of Ethan Allen furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Yes, Ethan Allen is high-end furniture. The term “high-end” describes furniture that features fine materials and expert craftsmanship. Ethan Allen furniture fits this definition, especially when you consider the brand's vintage pieces, which were hand-built out of carefully selected American hardwoods. On 1stDibs, find a range of Ethan Allen furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, not all Ethan Allen furniture is made in the USA as of January 2022. The furniture company produces pieces at five factories in the U.S., as well as at factories based in Honduras, Mexico and East Asia. Find a collection of Ethan Allen furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Ethan Allen furniture is still made as of December 2021. The company operates manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Mexico and Honduras and has more than 300 retail showrooms. On 1stDibs, you can find a range of Ethan Allen furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024Yes, some Ethan Allen furniture is solid wood. The American furniture company uses both solid wood and solid wood veneers to produce its pieces. In recent years, the furniture maker has also begun to use reclaimed solid wood to make some of its occasional tables and casegoods. Find a variety of Ethan Allen furniture on 1stDibs.
Read More
A Giant Wedding Cake Has Us Looking at Portuguese Tiles in a New Light
At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.
Why Jules Chéret Was the King of the Modern Poster
The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.
Why the American Flag Has Had So Many Different Star Patterns
Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.
Peggy Guggenheim Loved Modernism, but She Also Collected Tribal Art
The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
The 13-Star American Flag Had More Variations Than You’d Think
Perfect for July 4th weekend, a new show at Philadelphia's Museum of the American Revolution displays an array of antique red, white and blue flags.
Tramp Art, America’s Most Misunderstood Art Form, Is Trending in Interiors
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.