A Rare and Important Molded Copper Indian Chief Weathervane, Attributed to J.L. Mott Iron Works Co., New York and Chicago circa 1900

the swell-bodied figure captured in motion, drawing back the arrow in his bow, the fringed skirt swaying back, the Indian with molded sheet-copper headdress, with an arrow-filled quiver and flounced stockings, on a large arrow directional. Weathered to an all-over verdigris and shading of red paint with tiny traces of gilding.

The face of the Indian resembles the features of the Indian head nickel. The weathervane was likely a special order piece for a fraternal lodge or community institution. The J. L. Mott Iron Works was located at 84-90 Beekman Street, with a branch in Chicago at 311 and 313 Wabash Avenue. In its 1890 copyrighted catalogue of statuary and animals, there appear three figures identical to those in the Demuth catalogue of 1875.