About this artwork
Before the advent of modern mechanized devices, weather vanes were an important source of information on shifting weather conditions. The horse shape was common; in fact, weather vanes often memorialized famous racehorses. The elegant simplicity of this example is characteristic of the works of Alvin L. Jewell, one of the most important 19th-century weather vane designers. At his metal manufacturing firm, A. L. Jewell and Company, Jewell invented a molding process so that he could mass-produce his handcrafted work. In this example, Jewell made the head of a solid, heavier metal, so the weather vane would balance properly and point toward the wind’s source. Jewell’s innovative manufacturing and advertising methods helped to change the growing American weather vane industry.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of the Americas
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Artist
- Alvin L. Jewell
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Title
- Running Horse Weather Vane
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Place
- Waltham (Object made in)
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Date
- c. 1860
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Medium
- Copper, lead or zinc, and gilding
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Inscriptions
- Stamped on left shoulder: A. L. Jewell, Waltham, Mass.
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Dimensions
- 43.2 × 69.2 × 5.1 cm (17 1/16 × 27 1/4 × 2 1/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Purchased with funds provided by Charles C. Haffner III
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Reference Number
- 2006.256
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/188559/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
