Weathervanes have been part of America's architectural landscape for hundreds of years. Used to indicate wind direction and as architectural ornaments in both secular and sacred contexts, they have their origins in ninth-century Europe.1 The desirability of weathervanes to folk art collectors is driven by form, history, surface, and rarity. As collectors evaluate possible purchases, they consider many factors; the overriding one of which is generally visual appeal.
The aesthetic impact of a weathervane is often related to the weathered surface, which takes on various appearances, whether verdigris, gold leaf, yellow gilder’s size,2 or—most appealing—a combination of all three (see sidebar). An historic surface does not necessarily mean that which was applied at manufacture. It also relates to what occurred during the natural life of the vane. As vanes were often damaged, repaired, resurfaced, and returned atop buildings, the resulting multiple layers of paint and gilding denote a rich history. In addition, the blending of the surface with the elements resulted in a mellowed, worn appearance. It is to be expected, then, that outer layers of material will be chemically different from those applied earlier, and by analyzing these layers we can attach an approximate age to the different surfaces.
