As with any antique purchase, it is vital to ascertain the provenance of the piece, and this is made difficult with weathervanes as more often than not they do not feature any form of makers mark. When a stamp or mark is present, it aids the authentication process considerably, and can add considerable value to the piece. Considering that some weathervanes are sold at auction at upwards of a thousand dollars, any errors made in valuation could prove very costly.
Many old weathervanes are subjected to a cleaning process which, whilst improving the appearance of the pieces, can remove vital clues as to their origin. Without these telltale clues to help determine age, it can be virtually impossible to tell whether or not the piece is authentic, and can seriously affect the value. Most experts agree that aging and identifying weathervanes is one of the most difficult valuations possible.
It is normal for weathervanes to show some degree of corrosion. Due to their function, they are continuously exposed to the elements, and there will be discolouration of the metal and corrosion as a result.
Weathervanes have traditionally been made from iron, which is prone to rusting. Copper develops a green patina of cuprous oxide and carbonate over time. Far from reducing the value, the oxidisation actually helps to determine the age of the piece.
Weathervanes can be extremely collectable works of art, especially if their origin can be attributed to some of the more famous makers, such as L.W Cushing or J.R Mott.
One work from J.R Mott holds the record for the most valuable antique weathervane ever sold. The piece depicts an Indian chief standing on an arrow vane, holding a drawn bow and about to fire. In October of 2006 it went up for auction at Sotheby’s, New York. The guide price suggested $150,000 for the 5 foot high moulded copper weathervane, however in a frenzy of bidding the piece sold for a staggering $5,840,000.
This smashed the previous record set earlier in the year for an 1882 locomotive weathervane, which sold for $1,216,000. It is not unusual for works of the J.L. Mott Iron Works Co to reach upwards of half a million dollars. Works from the Rochester ironworks also sell for big bucks at auction houses around the world.
So, if you come across an old weathervane in a small auction house or at a house clearance, before you invest some serious elbow grease in getting all of the grime off, it may be worth getting an expert involved and having a valuation performed. A rare antique weathervane find could end up becoming a life changing experience.