Weather Vane - Horse c. 1939

This horse weather vane was made by Herman Bader, sometime in the 20th century, from what looks like hammered metal. The metal work feels straightforward, solid, but not without a certain charm. I'm thinking about the way this piece was constructed, you can see the marks of the hand, the hammer. Each strike builds the form, gives it texture, and speaks to a process of making that is very direct. There’s a beautiful simplicity here, a sense of honest labor. The form of the horse is strong, but it’s not trying to be too realistic. The surface of the metal has a great, almost pebbled texture, and the way the light catches it gives the whole piece a kind of lively feel. I especially love the jagged mane. It feels like a series of spontaneous marks. This piece reminds me a little of some of the folk art sculptures. There's something deeply American about it. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be about highfalutin ideas. Sometimes it's just about making something useful and beautiful with your own two hands.