Rooster weathervane c. 1880

This rooster weathervane was made by J.W. Fiske, though the specific date of its making is unknown. It's crafted primarily from copper, a material valued for its durability and malleability. The vane was most likely made through a combination of repoussé and chasing, techniques where the metal is hammered from both sides to create a relief design. The copper’s inherent properties – its ability to be shaped and retain form – are crucial to the vane’s lively appearance. This rooster's significance lies in its combination of craft and industrial production. Weathervanes like this were often mass-produced, yet they still required skilled labor to form and assemble. The techniques involved straddled the line between traditional craftsmanship and the emerging factory system. Thinking about this piece reminds us that even everyday objects can embody complex relationships between labor, industry, and artistry, challenging our conventional ideas about what constitutes art.