Antique Wooden Whale Weathervane, New England Folk Art, Ca. 1850–1900

Details

Description

Some pieces endure; this one feels rescued from another century. With its weathered surface, folk-carved soul, and rare surviving pewter … Read more Some pieces endure; this one feels rescued from another century. With its weathered surface, folk-carved soul, and rare surviving pewter eyes, it carries the spirit of New England’s maritime past like few pieces ever can.

Carved from Eastern white pine — the favored softwood of New England folk artisans — this whale-form weathervane exemplifies the bold, graphic silhouettes of 19th-century American maritime tradition. Wooden vanes of this scale are uncommon survivals, most having succumbed to decades of rooftop exposure.

This example retains its rare pewter inlaid eyes, each secured with tiny brad nails — a delicate construction detail seldom preserved outside institutional collections. The surface reveals a layered history: first finished in a lighter marine paint, later overpainted in black oil-based paint, now weathered to a richly patinated surface with natural abrasions, edge wear, and areas of honest flaking that reveal earlier strata beneath.

Hand-carved construction is evident in the subtle asymmetry, incised mouth, and uneven tail shape further adding to its authenticity. Edge losses at the flukes and mouth are consistent with 19th-century rooftop use and further distinguish this vane from later decorative reproductions - authentic hallmarks of long outdoor service

Now presented on a museum stand, the whale projects as both artifact and artwork: a rare survivor of New England maritime folk art with commanding presence, perfect for serious collectors, designers, or institutional display.

Highlights
Dimensions: 25” wide × 5” high (body, not including tube) × 1” thick
Material: Eastern White Pine with rare pewter inlaid eyes, secured by brad nails
Paint History: Original marine finish later overpainted in black oil, now patinated with natural wear
Construction: Hand-carved silhouette with incised mouth and folk asymmetry

Condition: Honest surface wear, abrasions, and edge losses; seams stable; untouched and unrestored
Rarity: Few wooden whale vanes with intact pewter eyes survive outside museum collections See less