Weathervanes are instruments that have been classically used to know the shifts in wind direction. This helped people predict the changing weather. Though in modern times, with all the sophisticated technologies in place, we rely on the weather man to give us very accurate prediction of weather virtually for the whole year, but the weathervane, nonetheless, is still very much used, not as a weather forecaster, but rather as an architectural ornament that has the potential to turn your home into a landmark of sorts with its elegantly carved out motifs.
The weathervane is a cleverly crafted instrument that has its centre of gravity resting on the pivotal axis, such that the pointer can move freely on its axis. The side with the larger surface area is blown away from the wind direction, and the smaller side with the pointer faces the wind direction. Most weathervanes also have directional markers beneath the arrow that are aligned with the geographical directions. In this way, wind blowing from north-east will have the pointer pointing in that direction.
Weathervanes are a tradition that was adopted in medieval times, and is still popular all over Europe. Bronze weathervanes dating back to the 9th century have been discovered that have an unusual quadrant shape.
A theory suggests that the banners that flew from medieval towers were perhaps precursors of weathervanes. These fabric banners would show the direction of the wind. Later, the cloth flags were replaced with metal ones, balanced to turn with the wind. In fact, the word “vane” comes from the Old English word “fana” meaning “flag”.
Weathervanes are decorative, and are typically used as architectural ornaments perched at the highest point of a building. Weathervanes can be so alluring that they can turn an ordinary house or building into a lively, charming piece of architecture.
Weathervanes are generally handcrafted to give them an exquisite look and feel. Making weathervanes is an ancient art that still mesmerizes many. Creating a weathervane depends on the ability of the artist to capture a subject’s character and spirit in metal, in a manner that does not corrode or fade for years to come. Since weathervanes are viewed from a distance, it is important to emphasize on the overall pattern, and enhance specific characteristics such as profile, facial details, and contour lines. The technique to carve a weathervane, and its motifs, is borrowed from goldsmiths and silversmiths, to produce beautifully sculpted pieces of art.
Since weathervanes are traditionally installed at the highest point of a building, they have to be sufficiently large in size. However, with the requirements changing in modern times, we now have weathervanes that are adapted to fit the need of the modern day, with pieces that are designed to sit elegantly on a porch rail, lawn, or your patio!
Early weathervanes were very ornamental, with heavily crafted pointers. The modern ones do not have ornamental pointers, but we can now see a great variety of designs such as ships, arrows, horses, mermaids, fishes, swans, ducks, and anything else that can be elegantly fitted into the design! Use your creativity here!
The weathervane is a cleverly crafted instrument that has its centre of gravity resting on the pivotal axis, such that the pointer can move freely on its axis. The side with the larger surface area is blown away from the wind direction, and the smaller side with the pointer faces the wind direction. Most weathervanes also have directional markers beneath the arrow that are aligned with the geographical directions. In this way, wind blowing from north-east will have the pointer pointing in that direction.
Weathervanes are a tradition that was adopted in medieval times, and is still popular all over Europe. Bronze weathervanes dating back to the 9th century have been discovered that have an unusual quadrant shape.
A theory suggests that the banners that flew from medieval towers were perhaps precursors of weathervanes. These fabric banners would show the direction of the wind. Later, the cloth flags were replaced with metal ones, balanced to turn with the wind. In fact, the word “vane” comes from the Old English word “fana” meaning “flag”.
Weathervanes are decorative, and are typically used as architectural ornaments perched at the highest point of a building. Weathervanes can be so alluring that they can turn an ordinary house or building into a lively, charming piece of architecture.
Weathervanes are generally handcrafted to give them an exquisite look and feel. Making weathervanes is an ancient art that still mesmerizes many. Creating a weathervane depends on the ability of the artist to capture a subject’s character and spirit in metal, in a manner that does not corrode or fade for years to come. Since weathervanes are viewed from a distance, it is important to emphasize on the overall pattern, and enhance specific characteristics such as profile, facial details, and contour lines. The technique to carve a weathervane, and its motifs, is borrowed from goldsmiths and silversmiths, to produce beautifully sculpted pieces of art.
Since weathervanes are traditionally installed at the highest point of a building, they have to be sufficiently large in size. However, with the requirements changing in modern times, we now have weathervanes that are adapted to fit the need of the modern day, with pieces that are designed to sit elegantly on a porch rail, lawn, or your patio!
Early weathervanes were very ornamental, with heavily crafted pointers. The modern ones do not have ornamental pointers, but we can now see a great variety of designs such as ships, arrows, horses, mermaids, fishes, swans, ducks, and anything else that can be elegantly fitted into the design! Use your creativity here!
