Late 19th-Century “Goddess of Liberty” Copper Weathervane on Stand

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On offer is a late 19th-century American folk art "Goddess of Liberty" molded copper weathervane mounted on a gallery presentation … Read more On offer is a late 19th-century American folk art "Goddess of Liberty" molded copper weathervane mounted on a gallery presentation stand. The figure represents Liberty (also historically referred to as Columbia), wearing a traditional Phrygian cap—an ancient Roman emblem of freedom from enslavement later adopted by American revolutionaries.
Her extended right arm served as the directional pointer to indicate shifting winds—political as well as literal. Her left arm holds a flagpole aloft flying the American flag for an overall height of nearly 20 inches.
The weathervane’s figure was constructed utilizing sheets of copper hammered over two-part iron or wood molds, joined via soldered seams to form a slightly swell-bodied dimensional ornament, now mounted on a wooden gallery presentation stand.
While not specifically attributed, this stylized form is most prominently associated with mid-to-late 19th-century commercial manufacturers like Cushing & White (later L.W. Cushing & Sons) of Waltham, Massachusetts, as well as regional coppersmiths such as William Henis of Philadelphia.
The exterior retains a heavily weathered verdigris patina mixed with traces of original sizing, red paint, and a bit of gold leaf gilding (atop the flagpole) from prolonged outdoor elemental exposure before retrieval.
These explicit patriotic figures experienced immense consumer popularity during and immediately following the Civil War era. The “Goddess of Liberty” now takes on new significance as we mark our nation’s founding 250 years ago.
Signature/Maker’s mark: Nonexistent. Figure’s dimensions: 8.5”h x 19.5”h; base: 12”w x 4”d x 2”h. See less