Weather Vane c. 1939

This weather vane was made by Frank Eiseman sometime before 1960, likely from wood and metal. The design is deceptively simple: a horizontal arrow pivoting on a vertical support. But consider the work involved. Eiseman would have needed skill in woodworking to shape the arrow, with its distinctive fletching at one end and arrowhead at the other. The delicate metal framework joining the arrow to the support also suggests careful handwork. Weather vanes are traditionally associated with rural life, connecting people to nature's rhythms. But they are also products of labor, reflecting the skills of the maker. In this case, the clean lines and precise construction hint at the influence of industrial design. Ultimately, Eiseman’s weather vane invites us to look beyond the functional object and appreciate the intersection of craft, design, and the everyday. It reminds us that even the simplest objects can carry layers of meaning, reflecting both the maker's skill and the wider social context.