Martin Mešša: Weathervanes for protection as well as decoration

A gabled roof with a wooden gable post, nothern Slovakia Wooden gable posts called weathervanes are a significant element of folk building in several parts of Slovakia. They create an interesting compositional and artistic element of Slovak folk architecture. In Slovakia they are more characteristic for Slovak inhabitants living in villages. The appearance of weathervanes is connected to the shingle covering of gabled roof with a gable ending with a semicircle. Apart from the dominant aesthetic function, the weathervanes also had an important magical function - to protect the house. The top of the weathervane was often decorated with specific motifs. The oldest and the most original weathervanes had the shape of a pike, tulip, apple, blade, heart, bird, sun, cone or flag.

Further articles of magazine Craft, Art, Design 04/2002:

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