Cow Weathervane, Downtown Gallery Provenance, A Great Example
View Similar Items
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
Cow Weathervane, Downtown Gallery Provenance, A Great Example
About the Item
The extraordinary surface on this cow weathervane displays early gold gilt, covered by a mix of hardened black soot—probably from a nearby chimney—and large patches of green verdigris. I have never seen this exact style before, the boxy form of which is combined with an unusually angled face that abounds with character.
This vane was acquired by a collector at the Downtown Gallery in Manhattan in 1949 and has eluded the public market ever since. For the benefit of those who don’t know, the Downtown Gallery, which operated from 1924 to 1969, was owned by Edith Gregor Halpert (1900-1970), a pioneer in the field of American folk art. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller was one of her best clients, and today the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum at Colonial Williamsburg plays host to one of the leading collections in the nation.
The vane was sold privately to a second party during this period; a major collector of fine art and antiques, who recently passed away.
The records of the Downtown Gallery are held by the Smithsonian and on public record, due to the importance Halpert’s role in both contemporary American art and folk art. The number of museums that she sold items to between 1948 and 1949 alone, as evidenced by her receipts, is staggering.
I appear to have potentially found record of the delivery of the bull among Halpert’s 1949 invoices.* According to their records, it was the only bull weathervane sold by the Downtown Gallery in that year. While the invoice itself has no date or dollar amounts, it appears in order among others that are consecutively dated in June of that year. The dates of “12/48” and “6/48” appear on line items and apparently represent the original purchase dates, possibly on terms, for items that were now leaving the gallery, including “Dog – Chalkware” for “Mrs. D. Calkins” and “Bull Silhouette – Weathervane”, for “Mr. Roy Neuberger”. One of these two individuals, or possibly a currier, was apparently receiving the items on behalf of both clients. Halpert’s receipts had very limited descriptions, but the cow does, in fact, have a particularly narrow profile.
Materials: Molded copper with zinc horns and ears.
Condition: There are old repairs to two bullet holes (one on the ridge of the back and one just above a front leg), accompanied by a repair at the top of the tail and repair at the base of the shaft. The cross member is slightly bent and there is a bent kink in the tail. There is pleasing, expected wear all over.
- Dimensions:Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Width: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:Horn
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1870-1890
- Condition:See item description.
- Seller Location:York County, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: wv-0341stDibs: U1008038497272
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1991
1stDibs seller since 2008
61 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 10 hours
More From This SellerView All
- Eagle Weathervane, ca 1852-1870, Waltham MassachusettsLocated in York County, PAEagle weathervane in a beautiful form with great folk presence, possibly made by A.L. JEWELL & CO. (1852-1867) or its predecessor, Cushing & White / ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Weathervanes
MaterialsMetal
- Prancing Horse Weathervane, Attributed to Jewel & Co, Waltham, Mass, ca 1860Located in York County, PAPrancing horse weathervane, attributed to Jewel & Co. Waltham, Massachusetts, CA 1860: Prancing horse weathervane by A.H. Jewell & Co., Waltham, MA. Made of molded copper, with a cast zinc head, applied copper ears...Category
Antique 1860s American Weathervanes
MaterialsMetal
- Merino Sheep Weathervane, Attributed to A.J Harris & Co, Boston, ca 1875Located in York County, PAMERINO SHEEP WEATHERVANE, THE VERY BEST OF ITS KIND AND WITH PERHAPS THE BEST SURFACE THAT EXISTS ON SURVIVING EXAMPLES, ATTRIBUTED TO A.J. HARRIS & CO., BOSTON, circa 1875 This fan...Category
Antique 1870s American Weathervanes
MaterialsMetal
Price Upon Request - Rare Pair of Fireman's Axe Parade TorchesLocated in York County, PARare pair of fireman’s axe parade torches, 1860-1880: Pair of fireman’s axe parade torches with traditional wooden axe handles and the heads made o...Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
$3,500 Sale Price22% Off - Horse Head Trade Sign, Last Quarter of the 19th CenturyLocated in York County, PAAn exceptional, painted American trade sign made from carved wood in the full-bodied form of a race horse’s head. Wonderful movement, tremendous f...Category
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
MaterialsWood
- Suffragette Plate, "Deeds Not Words" & "Votes for Women", The Only Known ExampleLocated in York County, PAENGLISH PORCELAIN SUFFRAGETTE PLATE WITH "DEEDS, NOT WORDS" AND "VOTES FOR WOMEN" SLOGANS, ONE-OF-A-KIND AMONG KNOWN EXAMPLES, CA 1905-1918 English porcelain plate, made for the Wo...Category
Early 20th Century English Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
MaterialsPorcelain
You May Also Like
- Swordfish Weathervane, 20th CenturyLocated in Los Angeles, CALarge-scale wooden weathervane from Chappaquiddick Massachusetts. Some old paint remaining. Almost eight feet long!Category
20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
MaterialsWood
- Full Body Weathervane of American Indian WarriorLocated in Atlanta, GAAn Americana folk art copper weathervane circa early 20th century. The full-bodied piece depicts a Native American warrior in feather headdress and a wide belt shooting an arrow from...Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
MaterialsCopper
- 19th Century Iron Indian Weathervane with StandLocated in Los Angeles, CAFantastic and rare original painted surface iron Indian weather vane, worn painted surface. Great original Directional's in iron and attached. This Indian weather vane was found in t...Category
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
MaterialsIron
$4,895 Sale Price72% Off - Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster WeathervaneLocated in Chicago, ILA charming early 20th American Folk Art carved pine rooster weathervane with a wonderful silhouette with a large tail, applied wings, and copper legs all supported by an iron rod wit...Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
MaterialsPine
- American Gilt Copper Full Bodied Horse Directional Weathervane, Fiske, C. 1870By J.W. Fiske & CompanyLocated in Hollywood, SCAmerican gilt copper full bodied running horse directional weathervane with two gilt circular spheres resting on squared iron stand, J.W. Fiske, late 19th century.Category
Antique 1870s American Folk Art Weathervanes
MaterialsCopper, Iron, Zinc, Gold Leaf
- Spanish 19th Century WeathervaneLocated in Atlanta, GAA delightful Spanish 19th century copper weathervane in the shape of a galloping horse - presented on its iron stand.Category
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Weathervanes
MaterialsIron, Copper
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Zinc Dog
Edith Rockefeller
Bull Weathervane
Dog Weathervanes
Antique Cow Weathervane
Cow Weathervane
Zinc Bull
Ethan Allen Print
Copper Rooster Weather Vane
Whale Weather Vane
Galloping Horse Weathervane
Running Horse Weather Vane
Weathervane Horse Driver
Weathervane Weight Horse
Weathervanes Airplane
D Zine
Vintage Copper Horse Weathervane
Cast Iron Weathervane