Lot 1210
  • 1210

HORSEJ. HOWARD & CO. | HorseJ. Howard & Co.

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
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Description

  • molded copper and cast zinc weathervane with gold leaf and paint
  • Height 20 in. by Length 24 in.
  • circa 1860

Provenance

Nathan S. Kline, New York;
Marna Anderson, New Paltz, New York.

Literature

Tom Geismar and Harvey Kahn, Spiritually Moving:  A Collection of American Folk Art Sculpture (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1998) cat. no. 19.

Condition

Restorations to the gilding and verdigris. There is a crack at the base of the proper left ear.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

J. Howard & Co. was first listed as a weathervane manufacturer in 1856 and last appeared in the 1865 New England Business Directory, listed beneath A.L. Jewell, who, unlike Howard, paid for an ad in the book. The only record of the company's products is an unillustrated wholesale price list. While this list gives us no clear idea what these vanes looked like, some of the firm's vanes are stamped, "Made by J. Howard & Co. W. Bridgewater, Mass," offering a basis of comparison with examples, like this one, that are not stamped. All of the stamped vanes have Howard's distinctive combination of cast zinc forebodies and molded copper rears. The legs, ears, and tails of their horses were also copper.