Whirligigs, Weathervanes, and Windmill Weights

Folk art, antiques, and outsider art

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Gardener whirligig
Gardener whirligig
Popeye whirligig
Popeye whirligig
Car whirligig
Car whirligig
Metal rooster
Large metal
rooster weathervane
Whirligig
Jointed Dancer Whirligig
Whirligig
Whimsical Sawyer Whirligig
Red, white, and blue whirligig
Red, white, and blue whirligig
Airplane whirligig
Airplane whirligig
Whirligig
Uncle Sam whirligig
Doorknob weathervane
Doorknob weathervane
whirligig
Airplane whirligig
Horse weathervane
Wooden horse weathervane
Whirligig figures
Whirligig figures
Folky arrow weathervane
Folky hand made metal
arrow weathervane
Woodpecker whirligig
Woodpecker whirligig

Red, white, and blue whirligigThis is an old, colorful, and very folky weather vane with a whirligig type propeller. It is somewhat primitive and yet sophisticated in design and color. Painted mainly red, white, and blue, it also has cut and applied gold stars on the tail. This piece was probably made about the 1950's and is mounted on a new base and stand. The vane/gig is about 15" long while the blade is about 17" long. On the base it stands 15 1/2" to the top of the tail. It is is good condition, with a few splits to the wood, a little loss to one of the stars, and some normal wear to the paint. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: TWWK.   See a slideshow of several views [765k]
Red, white, and blue whirligig ... Back view ... Side view ... Front view ... The other side ... From above ... Closeup of the tail ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of the front ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Red, white, and blue whirligig ... Back view ... Side view ... Front view ... The other side ... From above ... Closeup of the tail ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of the front ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the motion (2.4Mb).

Gardener whirligigHere is a nice folky whirligig from Maine. Made about the 1940's, it has unusual construction with a small 4-bladed fan on top. When it turns the gardener's arms and hoe go back and forth. This piece is hand made from pine, plywood, and metal. It is mounted on a wood base which originally may have been either a hat form or a foundry mold. It has an old and oxidized surface with nice paint and good color. There is some paint loss and rust on the blade. The condition is very good. The whirligig is about 27" high to the top of the blades, including the base. It is 39" long and 3" wide. The blade is about 9" in diameter, while the base is about 11" across. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: THAC.   See a Slideshow of several views. [386K] ... Video of the action. [589k]
Gardener whirligig ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of man ... Closeup of tail ... Man, one side ... Man, other side ... Two back views ... Two front views ... Closeup of the propeller ... From above.
Larger images:   Gardener whirligig ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of man ... Closeup of tail ... Man, one side ... Man, other side ... Two back views ... Two front views ... Closeup of the propeller ... From above.

Popeye whirligigThis is a wonderful red, white, and blue, metal whirligig with Popeye. It was likely made in the 1930's or '40s, and is in excellent working condition. It is on a relatively new base. This piece has great old and original paint and interesting construction. The tail, for example is part of the main whirligig and is twisted rather than applied. The whirligig itself is about 20" long and 12" high, while the diameter of the blade is 13 1/2". On the base it stands about 29" to the top of the blade. Popeye, with an expressive face, goes back and forth as the 12 bladed propeller spins. Take a look at the motion (925k) of this really nice and folky piece. The price is $795.00. Inventory Code: THPA.   Popeye whirligig ... Another view ... Closeup ... Closeup with action turned ... Front of blade ... From behind ... Another angle from behind ... Closeup from another angle ... From above ... One side ... The other side ... Another side view ... Another overall view ... From a front angle ... Video of the motion (925k).
Larger images:   Popeye whirligig ... Another view ... Closeup ... Closeup with action turned ... Front of blade ... From behind ... Another angle from behind ... Closeup from another angle ... From above ... One side ... The other side ... Another side view ... Another overall view ... From a front angle ... Video of the motion (925k).

Car whirligigThis is a whirligig with a man cranking a Model T type car. It is painted mainly in red, white and blue. The name Henry III is painted along one side, and the car's passengers are drawn in pencil. The man is quite folky, with a smiling face and blue overalls. It appears to be from the 1940's or 50's, and is mounted on a more recent wood base, which is included. The condition is excellent with slight weathering from outdoor use. It is 22 1/2" long; as mounted on the base it is 17 1/2" high. The man stands 5 1/4" high and the propeller is 10" in diameter. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: TAST.   Man and car whirligig ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of the man ... Closeup of one side ... Closeup of the other side ... 3/4 view ... Two views showing motion ... Back view ... Front view.
Larger images:   Man and car whirligig ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of the man ... Closeup of one side ... Closeup of the other side ... 3/4 view ... Two views showing motion ... Back view ... Front view.

Metal roosterThis is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   See a slideshow of several views [518k]
Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale.

WhirligigThis is a one-of-a-kind whirligig which combines the action of a dancing jointed man with a spinning propeller and moving "dance floor". The base the dancer stands on goes up and down as the blades turn causing his legs, arms, and body to move. Made from wood, sheet metal, and odds and ends of hardware, including a spring, hand carved, and "make do" parts, it has a funky and unusual look. The man is carved from pine, has a top hat, and a face with nose, smile and other features. The sides are decorated with reflectors. It was originally clamped to something on top of a barn in Indiana. Now it is mounted on a base so that it is free-standing. It was probably made in the 1950's, and is in very good, used and weathered condition - although the front of one foot is long missing. Overall height with the base and original pole is 35". The whirligig itself is 21" long by 16" high by 5 1/2" wide, with an 18 1/2" propeller. The man stands 10 1/2" high. The price is $350.00. Inventory Code: AROH.   Image ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Front view ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup of the front ... Closeup of the side ... Closeup of the back ... Another closeup ... Closeup of the mechanism ... Side view, including the pole and base ... Back view.
Larger images:   Image ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Front view ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup of the front ... Closeup of the side ... Closeup of the back ... Another closeup ... Closeup of the mechanism ... Side view, including the pole and base ... Back view.

WhirligigThis is a whimsical whirligig of a man sawing wood. It has nice paint, and there are fun details, like a large screw bent into his pipe, and the pencilled in face. The mechanism was removed at some time, and then replaced with an old doorknob. The man is missing one leg. His coat and hat are dark blue. The propeller is red and white, with a light blue center. The paint is mostly strong, with a little weathering from outdoor use. The overall length is 26". The man stands 13 1/4" tall, on a base 4 1/4" wide, and the propeller is 22" in diameter. It is about 40 to 50 years old. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: AAHC. Image ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of the man ... Another view ... Front view.    Larger images:   Image ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of the man ... Another view ... Front view.

Whirligig figuresHere are two carved, jointed, and painted wrestlers. They raise, lower, and go back and forth. The men are made from pine, while their arms are galvanized lightweight metal. They are mounted on an old plywood base on which are the mechanical remnants of the rest of the whirligig. It appears that this is the original base, and what is missing is the blade and some of the linkage. This funky and folky piece is probably no more recent than the 1940's. The paint is partially worn, but what remains is still fairly strong and not flaking. The men are 10" high while "sitting", and are 10" long and about 4" wide. They are mounted on a metal base with slots to allow some travel. The overall size is 26" long, 7" wide, and 12" high. The price is $1100.00. Inventory Code: AOPH. Image ... Closeup ... Side view ... Same side, with figures moved ... Second closeup ... Third closeup.    Larger images:   Image ... Side view ... Same side, with figures moved ... Second closeup ... Third closeup.

Airplane whirligigThis is a folky, primitive airplane whirligig. It is made from wood, painted red, with weathering from outdoor use. The airplane is probably from the 1940's or 50's, but the plywood wing is a more recent replacement. It measures 27" long by 24" wide by about 7" high, with a 12" propeller. As mounted on the base, it is 21 1/4" high. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TARW.   Airplane whirligig ... Another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup of front ... Closeup of tail ... Closeup of prop ... Another closeup ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Airplane whirligig ... Another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup of front ... Closeup of tail ... Closeup of prop ... Another closeup ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.

WhirligigThis whirligig looks like a rendition of Uncle Sam sawing wood. The man has a top hat and beard. The saw and sawhorse are painted a weathered, deep red. The man's arms and legs are heavy gauge sheet metal, the propeller blades are thinner metal, The mechanism is heavy wire, and the rest is wood. It measures 13" long, the man stands 10" high, and the propeller is 11" across. The blades are very slightly bent, and the crossbar of the saw was replaced. Otherwise it is in very good condition. The whirligig has a nice aged surface and is probably at least 30 years old. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: ACRR. One view ... Sawing ... From the front ... Closeup of the man ... The other side.    Larger images:   One view ... Sawing ... From the front ... Closeup of the man ... The other side.

Doorknob weathervaneThis whimsical metal weathervane arrow was hand made on a doorknob base. It is 24" long by 5" high, the point is 2" wide. It was most likely made in the 1940's or 50's. It has weathered green paint over remnants of red, and is in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWTT. One side ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail.    Larger images:   One side ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail.

photoThis airplane whirligig has wonderful colors and form. It has a wood body, metal found objects for the blade, wings, and tail, and plastic wheels and pilot. The wood base was added more recently. The plane itself is 26" long, 15 1/2" wide, and 13 1/2" high; with the base it is 24 1/2" high. There may once have been something else attached over the tail. Probably about 40 years old, it is in very good, weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: ATAT. Image ... From behind/side ... Front ... The colors don't show as well in the rest of the photos, but they will show you other angles. The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... Overall, including base.    Larger images: Image ... From behind/side ... Front ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Overall, including base.

Horse weathervaneA nice wooden horse weathervane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below.
Larger images:   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below.

Folky arrow weathervaneThis is a very folky hand made weathervane arrow. It was made from sheet metal and iron tubing, with wire reinforcement. The tip and tail of the arrow were cut by hand, and the edges folded over to fasten the two halves together. It has a good, dark, oxidized, unpainted surface. The weathervane is from the first half of the 20th century, mounted on a wood and metal base. It measures 20 1/2" long by 10" high; as mounted it is 16 1/2" high by 6" wide. It is in excellent used and weathered condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: TCWR-A.   Folky arrow weathervane ... Closeups ... The other side, overall ... From front and back ... Closeup of the point ... Closeup of the tail ... From above.
Larger images:   Folky arrow weathervane ... Closeups ... The other side, overall ... From front and back ... Closeup of the point ... Closeup of the tail ... From above.

Woodpecker whirligigThis is a really nice and folky old whirligig. It includes a tree and woodpecker, both cut from plywood. They are mounted to a piece of 1" thick pine. The wood propeller blades were also fashioned from pine. When the blades turn, the bird goes up and down. This assemblage is in very good, old, working condition. It was likely made about the 1940's or 50's and shows wear and some old repaint consistent with that. This older piece is mounted on a new base and stand. Overall, the height of the whirligig including the base is about 26 1/2" to the top of the tree. It is 21 1/2" long, the woodpecker is about 10 1/4" long and 5" high, and the blades are about 14 1/2" in diameter. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: TWPK.   See a slideshow of several views [300k]
Woodpecker whirligig ... The other side ... Closeup of the bird ... The bird, other side ... End view ... The other end ... Closeup of propeller ... Closeup of tree ... Closeup of the mechanism ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action (2.6Mb).
Larger images:   Woodpecker whirligig ... The other side ... Closeup of the bird ... The bird, other side ... End view ... The other end ... Closeup of propeller ... Closeup of tree ... Closeup of the mechanism ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action (2.6Mb).

 

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