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Some of the earliest known weathervanes were in the form of Greek gods.  Discovered in a basement in Boston, a Mecca of weathervane production, this solid zinc casting of Mercury is a spectacular and previously undocumented example.  Similar in theme to the full-bodied copper form by Fiske (1893 illustrated catalogue, p. 59), the contour of the foot suggests that, like the Fiske figure, there was a large ball underneath, followed by a large arrow.  A blown glass lick-of-flame or small sphere would have fit over the reinforced rod that extends from the tip of Mercury�s finger; this would twinkle in the sun as if it were alit.  The second, carved wooden figure, in gold leaf and paint, is the original mold.  Ca 1850-70.