{"title":"Weather Vanes","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn antique French weather vane is often one of those details noticed before even entering a house. Once placed on a rooftop, barn, dovecote or agricultural building, it showed the direction of the wind while giving the property a distinctive silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection brings together antique and vintage weather vanes chosen for their form, patina and decorative presence. Roosters, horses, arrows, farm animals and rarer motifs each reflect something of the French rural landscape and the long connection between architecture, weather and everyday life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, an antique weather vane can be placed in a garden, displayed on a stand, mounted on a wall or incorporated into a French country interior. Aged metal, oxidation, small bends and signs of use are part of its character, giving each piece a strong presence that feels rustic, simple and authentic.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"antique-french-wrought-iron-chimney-cowl-with-rotating-wind-vanes","title":"Antique French Painted Iron Weathervane | Rooftop Girouette with Cardinal Compass","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere is something wonderful about old French rooftop pieces because they were made to live outside, above the house, quietly reading the wind. This antique French painted iron weathervane still has that poetry. It is bold, graphic and full of movement, with a tall flag, wide iron tail, counterweight and hand-shaped compass letters that make it feel almost like architectural folk art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKnown in France as a girouette, this weathervane was likely made in the early 20th century, possibly late 19th century, and is consistent with French regional ironwork from the period. It was made to indicate wind direction from a rooftop, barn, garden structure or outbuilding. No maker’s mark is visible in the available images.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe assembly is wonderfully complete. The upper flag pivots from its iron frame, while the riveted sheet-iron tail catches the wind and turns the whole form. A small cylindrical counterweight balances the opposite side, and below, the fixed compass shows the four cardinal letters O, E, S and N for Ouest, Est, Sud and Nord. Each letter is bent from iron wire by hand, which gives the base so much personality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface carries old black paint with weathering, oxidation and areas of natural wear from decades exposed to the elements. You can see the rivets, seams, hand-shaped wire and forged details throughout. Nothing about it feels overly standardized, and that is exactly what makes it so appealing. It has the honest, slightly imperfect character of an object that really did its job outside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eToday, it would be fantastic mounted on a garden post, displayed in an entry, set against a stone wall, or used indoors as sculptural French architectural salvage. It brings height, line and a strong graphic silhouette to a room or garden. Once made for the wind, it now carries all the charm of the French countryside with it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Provence Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52783915925847,"sku":"OUT-006","price":1215.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/4686\/4215\/files\/rustic-french-metal-wind-direction-cowl-10.jpg?v=1770911669"}],"url":"https:\/\/theprovencecollection.com\/collections\/weathervanes.oembed","provider":"The Provence Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}