Commissioning a new weathervane
Personalizing your weathervane
About West Coast Weather Vanes
MYTHOLOGICAL WEATHERVANES GRIFFIN WEATHER VANE
Griffin Weathervane
by West Coast Weather Vanes
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Griffin Weathervane |
Griffon Weathervane, with Martini Glass, Customer Photo
Griffon Weathervane, with Martini Glass, Customer Photo, Detail
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Please click on the thumbnails to view larger images
Our original Griffin weathervane was commissioned by a couple whose last name is Griffin. It is actually quite popular to make weathervanes based on customer’s names. We have done similar projects for people whose names can represent weathervanes, for example: Fox Weathervane, Fish Weathervane, Fisher Weathervane, Hare Weather Vane, Robin Weather Vane, Steer Weathervane and Moon Weathervane. The Griffin is one of our favorite designs – we have one in our personal collection.
The Griffin weathervane featured in the photo above was made in copper with optional gold leaf accents on its crest, beak, talons, claws and the edges of its wings. It also looks nice to optionally gild the arrow tip and fletching. The Griffin has large translucent glass eyes.
The thumbnail photos (above right) show a variation on our Griffin weathervane made for a couple on the East Coast. The “martini” in the glass has been gilded for emphasis. Our customers were gracious enough to send us a photo of it once it was installed. Because our weathervanes are made to individual order, we can personalize them according to our customer’s wishes.
You can see that the copper used to create this Griffin has not yet begun to weather. This copper will first turn a deep, rich chocolate brown color. The gold leaf accents will stand out in nice contrast with the darkened metal. Eventually the copper will turn a lovely greenish color, similar to the Statue of Liberty. You can actually see a similar patina in the weathered copper roof of the cupola below the weathervane. Even when the Griffin eventually turns green, much of the gold accenting should still be there, just as shinny as ever, and continue to offer a nice contrast in color. You can see this contrast between the gold leafed torch and Liberty’s hand (thumbnails below). This natural patina weathervanes take on over time is highly prized by collectors as each weathervane develops it own unique patination based on location and environmental influences.
Statue of Liberty, showing the green patina of aged copper.
The griffin, griffon or gryphon (from Old French grifon) is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. As the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of the birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. In antiquity it was a symbol of divine power and a guardian of the divine.
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Click here for pricing information on this weather vane.
Click here if you need help determining the correct size weather vane for you situation.
Click here if you would like suggestions on various methods of installing a weathervane.
Click here (if applicable to this weathervane) to view our weathervane eye color selection chart.
Click here for more information on gold leafing a weather vane.
Click here for more information about how we can personalize a weathervane.
Ordering Information:
To place an order, please call us at (800) 762-8736 or (831) 425-5505.
At the time you call, we will provide you with an estimated completion date.
At the time the order is placed, a deposit of 1/3 is due. Upon receipt of the deposit, time will be reserved in our schedule. The balance is due when the weather vane has been completed and prior to shipping. Deposits can be made with Visa, MasterCard or check.
All West Coast Weather Vanes are custom made for the person who orders them.
If you have a website that features Griffins, please contact us about exchanging web links.
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