19th‑Century Copper Coq de Clocher Weathervane

A 19th‑century copper coq de clocher weathervane, measuring 33 inches wide and 26 inches tall (without the stand). Formed in sheet copper with a bold, graphic silhouette, the rooster displays striking verdigris across its surface—the vivid, naturally developed patina that forms only after decades of exposure to the elements.
Rooster weathervanes, or coqs de clocher, were widely used throughout France in the 19th century, serving both as directional devices and as symbolic emblems atop churches, farm buildings, and rural structures. Examples of this scale rarely survive intact, as large copper vanes were especially vulnerable to wind, weather, and later replacement. The survival of this piece—with its full silhouette and layered historic surface—is exceptional.
The form is confident and sculptural: broad tail, upright stance, and hand‑worked details that reveal the maker’s skill. Areas of deep green oxidation, softened edges, and traces of earlier finishes speak to long outdoor use and give the piece its commanding presence.
Displayed on its stand, the weathervane becomes a powerful interior object; alternatively, it can be reinstated in a garden or architectural setting. A rare, large‑scale example of 19th‑century copperwork with remarkable patina and visual impact.