French Trade Weathervane with Blacksmith and Key Motif Circa 1920–1940 - 55"x 35½"

A large French trade weathervane in wrought and sheet iron, the vane cut in the form of an oversized key incorporating the silhouette of a blacksmith at his anvil. The composition is set above a once-rotating compass with cardinal directions marked in French (N, E, O, and S for Nord, Est, Ouest, and Sud) and supported by hand-forged scrolling brackets. The piece combines flat-cut ironwork with fluid forged elements, creating a strong graphic presence balanced by ornamental detail. Finished in black paint, it shows a nicely weathered surface with oxidation, scattered paint loss, and minor bends to the scrolls and letters; structurally sound. France, circa 1920–1940. 

This type of trade weathervane functioned both as a wind indicator and as a sign for a locksmith or metalworker, the key motif identifying the trade while the blacksmith figure celebrates traditional craftsmanship, likely the work of the artisan himself, serving as both object and advertisement.

With its bold silhouette and clear narrative, it reads almost like a piece of graphic sculpture. Mounted on a custom stand, it becomes a striking focal point in both country and contemporary interiors, its strong lines and patina adding depth and character. Alternatively, returned to its original purpose and fixed to the roof of a garden house or outbuilding, it brings movement, atmosphere, and an authentic note of historic charm to an outdoor setting.