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Currently on public display
+ Observing the Weather, Sydney Observatory
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Related subjects lists the broad themes that have relevance to the object you are viewing. You can click these themes to see other objects related thematically. Related Subjects
+ Meteorology
+ Measurement
This object belongs to
+ Sydney Observatory Collection
Theme containing this object
+ Early Meteorology in Australia
Here you can find links to other objects in our collection that belong to the same formal classification categories as the object you are viewing. Similar objects
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Ornamental weather vane, 1959
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Object statement
Weathervane, ornamental, brass / wood, made by Leslie Williams, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1959
The Significance Statement summarises why an object is important and places it in a social and cultural context. An object may be significant for various reasons, including: historical use, rarity, design/aesthetics, new technology or changes in society. Statement of significance
This weathervane was made by Leslie Williams in October 1959 and was acquired by the Powerhouse Museum the following year. An alternative name for a weathervane is a weather-cock because of the image of a rooster that was placed on top of the vane's spoke. An arrow also rotated on the spoke which when blown gave a visual indicator of the direction the wind was blowing from.

This particular object is probably modelled on a portable wind vane but looks to be an ornamental version which was displayed indoors. It is significant as an example of locally made Australian brass work.

Geoff Barker, Assistant Curator, March 2007
Production Notes include information about the design, manufacture and marketing of an object. Production notes
The weathervane was made by Leslie Williams in Adelaide South Australia, the date 1959 is engraved on the base.
History Notes include facts about what has happened to an object since manufacture. This could include who owned it and how it was used (provenance). It may also describe any cultural meanings with which it may have become associated. History notes
The weathervane was used by the Sydney Observatory.

 This text content licensed under CC BY-NC.

Description
Weathervane, ornamental, brass / wood, made by Leslie Williams, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1959

An indoor weathervane consisting of a vertical brass spoke with a horizontal brass pointer at the top of the spoke in the shape of an arrow that can spin on its axis. Below the pointer are four directional markers indicating north, south, east and west. The central brass spoke is attached to a brass plate that has been screwed to a rectangular wooden base.

Made: Williams, Leslie; Adelaide, South Australia; 1959


Used: Sydney Observatory; Sydney
Marks
Text engraved onto a plaque attached to the brass plate reads 'LESLIE WILLIAMS / MAKER / ADELAIDE' There is also a date engraved on the brass plate '21/10/59'
The Registration Number of an object is a unique identifying number applied by the museum at the point of acquisition. Current numbering format comprises the year of acquisition, followed by a sequential number. For example, '2007/45' is the Registration Number that represents the 45th acquisition in the year 2007. Registration number
H6706
Production date
1959
Height
355 mm
Width
145 mm
Depth
155 mm

 This text content licensed under CC BY-SA.
Acquisition credit line
Gift of Mr L J Williams, 1960
This object belongs to:
Sydney Observatory Collection
Subjects
+ Meteorology
+ Measurement
Currently on public display
+ Observing the Weather, Sydney Observatory
Short persistent URL
Concise link back to this object: http://from.ph/246334
Cite this object in Wikipedia
Copy and paste this wiki-markup:

{{cite web |url=http://from.ph/246334 |title=Ornamental weather vane |author=Powerhouse Museum |accessdate=21 May 2013 |publisher=Powerhouse Museum, Australia}}


Copyright
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Object viewed 5582 times. Parent IRN: 2141. Master IRN: 2141 Img: 218908 Flv: H:3444px W:2277px SMO:0 RIGHTS:.