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Masonic Weathervane
Late 1800s-early 1900s
Maker not marked
USA
Copper, zinc
39"h x 37"w x 6"d
Museum Purchase through the Generosity of Helen G. Deffenbaugh in Memory of George S. Deffenbaugh
2010.004

Weathervane has gilt rectangular body with dark Masonic symbol of square and compasses with G in the center. Arrow along the top. One side of the body has a curling vine. Extending from the top is a sunflower with three leaves. Partway up the stem is a ball. Heart-shaped decoration at top corners of body.


In the 1800s and early 1900s, weathervanes, placed atop tall buildings, showed the wind’s direction. This information helped people understand and predict weather conditions. Given its decoration with a square, compasses and the letter G, the vane may have ornamented a Masonic lodge. For more information, see blog post, October 14, 2010 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2010/10/is-the-wind-blowing-from-the-east.html