(Notes: In architecture, grotesques are a style of decorative art that features fantastic human or animal forms, often distorted into absurdity or ugliness. The word is derived from the Italian grotteschi, referring to the grottoes in which these decorations were found c. 1500 during the excavation of Roman houses such as the Golden House of Nero.
Grotesque decoration was common on 17th-century English and American case furniture.
First revived in the Renaissance by the school of Raphael in Rome, the grotesque quickly came into fashion in 16th-century Italy and became popular throughout Europe. It remained so until the 19th century, being used most frequently in fresco decoration.
Although the animal heads and other motifs sometimes have heraldic or symbolic significance, grotesque ornaments were, in general, purely decorative.)"Grotesque Weathervane" (2015)
Victorian style weathervane
Copper, silver-bismuth alloy; 27" height, 13" wingspan
This copper weathervane is for sale. Contact me for information
Designated a Texas Original by The Texas Commission on the Arts
Description text and images Copyright © 2001-2015 David Smith