Lot 28

American Folk Art Sheet Iron Angel Weathervane with Trumpet, Mounted on Display Stand, Late 19th/Early 20th Century

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Lot 28
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American Folk Art Sheet Iron Angel Weathervane with Trumpet, Mounted on Display Stand, Late 19th/Early 20th Century
American Folk Art Sheet Iron Angel Weathervane with Trumpet, Mounted on Display Stand, Late 19th/Early 20th Century
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American Folk Art Sheet Iron Angel Weathervane with Trumpet, Mounted on Display Stand, Late 19th/Early 20th Century

Current Bid: $60

(7 Bids)
by California Auction Company LLC
August 1, 2026 9:00 AM PDT
Live Auction
1212 E. Harding Way
Stockton, CA, US 95205

A striking and highly sculptural American folk art sheet iron angel weathervane, depicting a winged celestial figure poised atop a spherical directional pivot while sounding a long herald's trumpet. Executed in hand-cut and forged sheet iron, the angel is rendered in a graceful mid-flight pose with sweeping outstretched wings, flowing garments, and a raised arm holding a suspension ring, all conveying a remarkable sense of movement despite its utilitarian purpose. Weathervanes of figural form occupied a special place in American decorative arts during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, serving both as practical architectural ornaments and as symbols of faith, prosperity, and civic pride. Angel motifs, while considerably less common than horses, roosters, or banners, were frequently mounted atop churches, public buildings, and substantial residences, where they announced changing winds while offering a powerful visual emblem of protection and divine guidance. The present example displays the honest, untouched surface prized by collectors, exhibiting a richly oxidized iron patina developed through decades of outdoor exposure. The surviving spherical pivot element and trumpet remain intact, while the expressive silhouette and hand-crafted construction embody the ingenuity and vernacular craftsmanship associated with early American blacksmithing traditions. Mounted to a custom steel display base for presentation, this evocative survivor possesses exceptional decorative appeal and would make a dramatic addition to collections of American folk art, architectural antiques, or early weathervanes. Its authentic weathered surface and sculptural presence reflect the enduring charm that has made original American weathervanes among the most sought-after forms of nineteenth-century folk sculpture.

  • Provenance: Private Collection.
  • Literature: Herbert Ridgeway Collins, The Story of American Weathervanes. Jean Lipman, American Folk Art. Alice Winchester, Antiques Guide to American Weathervanes and Whirligigs. Skinner, Inc., American Folk Art Auction Catalogues featuring historic weathervanes.
  • Circa: Late 19th to early 20th century, circa 1880–1920.
  • Condition: Overall heavily weathered condition consistent with prolonged outdoor exposure. Extensive oxidation and surface rust throughout with significant perforation and losses to the hollow iron body and spherical pivot. Surface scaling, corrosion, and expected wear present. Mounted to a later custom steel display base for stability. The untouched patina contributes significantly to the piece's authenticity and folk art character.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 + $50