Folk Art Weathervanes
FOLK ART STYLE
Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.
Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.
Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Folk Art
Vintage Copper Horse Weathervane
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sculptural piece is a vintage copper horse weather vane, artfully displayed on a modern black metal stand. The figure captures a horse in mid-gallop, with fluid lines that conve...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Steel
Antique German Rooster Mounted Weathervane
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rooster weathervane naturally aged with several layers of old paint over zinc (ca. early 20th Century, Germany).
Though multiple colors are detectable, most notably the rooster is go...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Zinc
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A 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
Materials
Pine
Vintage Copper Horse Weathervane
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sculptural piece is a vintage copper horse weather vane, artfully displayed on a modern black metal stand. The figure captures a horse in mid-gallop, with fluid lines that conve...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Steel
Patinated and Oxidized Equestrian Dexter Antique Copper and Zinc Weather Vane
By Cushing and White
Located in Leesburg, VA
Beautifully Patinated and Oxidized Full Bodied Equestrian Dexter Antique Copper and Zinc Weather Vane
Probably Cushing & White
ca. 1867-72; Waltham, MA, USA
Copper, zinc
Approximat...
Category
1860s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
Pelican Copper Weathervane Mounted on Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique metal weathervane in the shape of a Pelican. The metal has developed a rich patina over time, with a mix of greenish oxidation and brown rust, indicative of age and exposure...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Iron
19th Century, Rooster Weathervane, American
Located in Incline Village, NV
Late 19th century, classic form molded rooster copper weathervane with sheet brass tail and zinc legs, which are supported by the original
13 1/2" copper bar. Weatherane is similar i...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Brass, Copper
American Copper Full Bodied Pig Directional Weathervane on Stand, circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American Copper full bodied pig directional weathervane resting on squared iron stand, late 19th century.
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Iron, Zinc
Hackney Horse Weathervane
Located in Branford, CT
Hackney horse weathervane attributed to E. G. Washburn & Co. Molded hollow body copper with natural verdigris surface. American, circa 1900.
H 24-1/2 in. L 22-1/2 in.
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
American Copper Spread Winged Eagle Weathervane with Sphere and Arrow, C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American molded copper spread winged eagle weathervane with circular sphere, arrow, and mounted on cast iron squared base. Weathervane has a fine natural verdigris patina in the orig...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Iron
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A 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
Materials
Pine
Large rooster weathervane.
Located in Branford, CT
Large rooster weathervane. Molded copper body with gilt surface. Cast zinc legs. Most likely by J.W. Fiske, New York City. Late 19th century. Display stand included.
Category
1890s North American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
Leaping Stag Weathervane Mounted on Marble Base C. 1940's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage leaping stag weathervane made of copper, with a verdigris patina that gives it a weathered, greenish appearance. Then stag is depicted mid-l...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Marble, Copper
French 19th Century Folk Art Metal Rooster or Cockerel Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful metal weathervane representing a rooster or cockerel,
France, 1850-1900.
Weathered and small losses. Measurement here below is inclusive the wooden base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Iron
St. Julien Weather Vane Attributed to J.W. Fiske 19th Century Full Bodied Metal
Located in Manhasset, NY
St. Julien with Sulky Molded Copper Weather Vane, attributed to J.W. Fiske, New York, last quarter 19th century, full-bodied molded sheet copper horse and driver vane with cast iron horse's head and driver's hands, sheet copper reins and seat, copper rod wheels, mounted on a ebony base. This has the original threading as seen in the last photo below.
A very similar Attrib Fiske Weathervane...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
Large Antique Early American Banner Weathervane
Located in Forney, TX
A large and remarkable 4' long early PA American scrollwork bannerette weathervane / wind directional.
Pennsylvania, first half of the 19th century, cut sheet metal, copper tubing,...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Metal, Copper, Zinc
“Ethan Allen” Running Horse Weathervane by Harris & Co. Boston, Ma.
By Harris & Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
This "Ethan Allen" running horse weathervane was one of the more popular ones manufactured by the prolific copper weathervane makers of the late 19th century, "Harris & Co." of Bosto...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
20Thc Canadian Goose Copper Weather Vane on Mount
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Copper & brass flying geese weather vane.This Canadian goose weather vane is a latter version of the 19thc weather vane.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
American Folk Art Iron Flying Witch & Bat Motif Weathervane, Museum Mounted
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American folk Art iron fying witch & bat motif Weathervane, Museum Mounted
A fine example of Americana, a large scale vignette of a Witch flying on her broom, a shooting star and b...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Draught Horse Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century American folk art draught horse weathervane is a remarkable piece crafted from sheet metal, capturing the essence of traditional American folk art. The weathe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Cut Steel
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Policeman Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Policeman Whirligig Figure
An early 20th Century hand carved English folk-art policeman whirligig figure. With natural wear and patina this figur...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art whirligig figure
We are proud to offer a true example of an early 20th century whirligig figure. Hand carved from scrat...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Pine, Paint
Large early American Antique Copper Bannerette Weather Vane
Located in Leesburg, VA
Large early American Antique Copper Bannerette Weather Vane
Possibly J. Howard & Co.
First-half of the 19th century; Northeastern, USA
Copper, iron
Approximate size: 24 (h) x 55 (w) x 1 (d) in.
This rare and large American scrollwork bannerette weathervane recalls those produced by Jonathan Howard & Co. of West Bridgewater, MA. Further academic research may confirm or deny this possibility and an origin with J.W. Fiske & Co. of New York, shouldn’t be ruled out. Alternatively, this weathervane may also be an entirely independent work from the first half of the 19th century, steeped in the early genesis of weathervanes as an American folk art.
This antique weather vane...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
Massive Antique Folk Art Candle Driven Tiered Windmill Form "Carousel"
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Folk Art Candle-Powered Carousel in the form of a Tiered and Steepled Gazebo. Carved and painted wood in green and off-white with gilt details, Multiple tiers with a center s...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Wood
Fantastic Diminutive 19thc Rare Eagle Full Body Weather Vane on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing small-scale rare 19th century eagle weather vane sits on top of the unusual arrow in a verdigris copper patina. The nose is in zinc and so is the tip of the arrow. This ...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
Large Vintage Tribal Handwoven Ethnic Round Asian Basket
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Asian rattan handcrafted decorative bowl on bamboo stand.
Large vintage tribal handwoven bamboo ethnic round basket.
Deep bowl shape, woven with seagrass technique and decorate...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Seagrass
American Folk Art Cowboy and Horse Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Tall one of a kind cowboy and horse spinning whirligig American Folk Art piece. Most likely from a larger folk art environment. Sheet steel constructi...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron, Sheet Metal
English Banner Weathervane
Located in Greenwich, CT
Striking English copper weathervane having exceptional weathered surface in the form of a flying banner with spear finial, fleur-de-lis pointer and pierced decorated body. Great form...
Category
1860s Great Britain (UK) Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
19th century English Folk Art copper weathervane
Located in London, GB
19th century English Folk Art copper weathervane
A wonderfully pure example of a late 19th century English Folk Art handcrafted copper weathervane. Made from hand beaten sectioned sh...
Category
1870s British Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
American Gilt Copper Three Masted Ship Weathervane Mounted on Stand, circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt copper three masted ship weathervane with flags mounted on stand, late 19th century.
Measures: 8" square at base.
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Iron
19th Century American Folk Art Iron Horse Weathervane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Ex. Jane Cipley collection. Fantastic sheet and strap iron horse weathervane. Originally found in the midwest. Old make-do repair to tail. Great...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
Modernist Folk Art George Nelson/ Calder Style Kinetic Sculptural Weathervane
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Folk Art George Nelson / Calder Style Kinetic Sculptural Weathervane .. Amazing design,, Retains original finish ,paint. Great color / patina..Pictures do it no justice,
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Mechanical Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Mechanical Whirligig Figure
This quirky and highly sculptural early 20th Century American folk art mechanical whirligig figure is stood on ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Metal
American Gilt Copper & Cast Iron Full Bodied Rooster Weathervane, circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt copper and cast iron full bodied rooster weathervane mounted on stand, Late 19th Century
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Iron
Wooden Folk Art Plane, circa 1930s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large, handcrafted wooden Folk Art plane with articulated pilot and original paint surface. Great hand carved folk art pilot.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Sheet Metal
Full Body Weathervane of American Indian Warrior
Located in Atlanta, GA
An 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
Materials
Copper
Stylized Bird Weathervane
Located in Branford, CT
Stylized weathervane. Weathered zinc and sheet iron. Circa 1900. L 30" H 20". Excellent original condition.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Metal, Zinc
19th Century New England Folk Art Schooner Weathervane
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century New England Folk Art Schooner Weathervane, circa 1890, having a carved and painted wooden hull with bowsprit, spars and deck house; wooden masts with wire standing rigging; iron anchors; sheet metal main sail, American flag, and flat-cut sailor manning the helm. The schooner has great lines and style - very graceful sheer, nicely shaped clipper bow, that whimsical sailor at helm...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Metal
Monumental 19th Century Fisherman Atop Fish Double Whirligig Weather Vane
Located in Nantucket, MA
Monumental 19th century fisherman atop fish double whirligig weather vane, from Harpswell, Maine, circa 1890, an exceptionally large rustic weather vane from a fisherman's shanty, with whirligig arms on figure and at tip of fish's snout. Great little details include the individual fingers on the tips of the arms. Very worn weathered traces of the original paint. Descended within the family from the Great Grandfather maker. Truly an exceptional piece of New England folk art...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Pine
19th Century Iron Indian Weathervane with Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 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
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
Wrought Iron Pheasant Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A true piece of American folk art, this hand-wrought iron weathervane captures a pheasant mid-stride, standing proudly atop a patch of grass. Made by an unknown artisan in the 20th c...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Folky Iron Rooster Weather Vane on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic folky rooster is mounted on a custom-made iron stand. This sheet iron rooster is in good condition and has a nice even mellow patina. He was found in the Midwest at a ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
19th century Hollow Body Eagle Weather Vane
Located in Leesburg, VA
19th century Hollow Body Eagle Weather Vane
Anonymous
ca. 1870; probably New England area, USA
Copper
Approximate size: 11.5 (h) x 23.5 (w) x 16 (d) in.
This evenly patinated holl...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
Vintage Sulky and Rider Folk Art Weather Vane, 1940s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage Sulky and Rider Folk Art Weather Vane
Additional information:
Materials: Iron
Color: Black
Period: 1940s
Place of Origin: North America
...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
Whirligig Depicts Woman Churning Butter, American, circa 1940
Located in Incline Village, NV
Ubiquitous 20th century theme for whirligigs, this example depicts a woman churning butter, with the action being driven by wind powered four blade propellers in the front. As the wi...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Wood
American Folk Art Wood and Iron Farm Bureau Weathervane Advertising Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great looking cartoon Midwestern Americana weathervane. Farm Bureau Insurance started in 1921. This great piece most likely was a premium or advertising piece. Hand painted wood with...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
American Gilt Copper Full Bodied Horse Directional Weathervane, Fiske, C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
American 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
1870s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Iron, Zinc, Gold Leaf
20th Century Patinaed Copper Airplane Weather Vane, Rare
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine folk art patinaed copper weather vane is on a wood base stand or mount and is a one of a kind handmade vane. The condition is very good.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
Antique German Rooster Mounted Weathervane
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rooster weathervane naturally aged with several layers of old paint over zinc (ca. early 20th Century, Germany).
Though multiple colors are detectable, most notably the rooster is go...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Zinc
Early 20th Century Hand-Crafted Copper Weathervane
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Hand-Crafted Copper Weathervane
This fine example is stamped at the base L.S Corp Limited who are one of the world’s largest companies in copper and smelter p...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
Early 20th Century Folk Art French Weather-Vane Plane
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art French weather-vane plane.
For sale in this lot is an early 20th century handmade Folk Art French weather-vane plane. Th...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Sheet Iron and Metal Trotting Horse Weathervane
Located in Incline Village, NV
Late 19th century sheet iron and metal "Trotting Horse" weathervane. It has a nice weathered color and patina and is very authentic with six "healthy" bullet holes to boot.
I basi...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Sheet Metal
Large Vintage Tribal Handwoven Ethnic Round African Basket
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large vintage Tribal handwoven bamboo ethnic round Asian basket.
Beautiful artisanal handwoven basket with tribal designs and patterns all around.
Large Asian rattan handcrafted de...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Seagrass, Bamboo
19th Century Eagle Weathervane, Attributed to Cushing & White
By Cushing and White
Located in Nantucket, MA
Full body molded copper spread wing eagle with cast zinc talons perched on a copper sphere. Great proportions with outstretched wings, showing wonderful detailing to the body and win...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Zinc
Swedish Iron Weather-Vane with Dragon with Date 1704
Located in New York, NY
Swedish metal (iron) weather-vane of a dragon's head on sword shaped stem. The date "1704" is impressed on the dragon's head which most likely refers the age of the house o...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
Hand Crafted Styized Copper Rooster Weathervane On Base
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large well-patinated contemporary hand-crafted copper rooster weathervane mounted on a copper clad octagonal base.
The rooster is removable from the base and can rotate as desired....
Category
20th Century Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper, Other
Early 20th Century American Double Sided Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century American double sided whirligig figure
A brilliant example of early 20th century American Folk Art. In the form of a hand carved wooden double sided whirligig f...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Pine
Folk Art Penguin Whirligig, circa 1930s-40s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early Vintage Penguin Whirligig from Plymouth, Massachusetts, circa 1930s - 1940s, a hand cut and painted wooden flat silhouette of a large penguin in ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Pine
Folk Art Cast Iron Duck Form Lawn Sprinkler
Located in Ferndale, MI
Cast iron duck water or lawn sprinkler. Original worn paint.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Americana Uncle Sam Lumberjack Whirligig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming whirligig depicting a figure resembling Uncle Sam sawing a log mounted to a wooden base. Hand carved, painted, and assembled with applied facial details. When manually turne...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Cornish Copper Folk Art Steam Train, Locomotive Weathervane
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century Cornish copper Folk Art steam train, locomotive weathervane
The model steam train at the top of this Weathervane is hand made in C...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Copper
Folk Art weathervanes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art weathervanes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage weathervanes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art weathervanes made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for weathervanes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $360 and tops out at $32,500 while the average work can sell for $2,250.