A Miniature Bronze Model of the Stadt Huys Weather Cock Made for the Saint Nicholas Society

The Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co., Mount Vernon, New York, Dated, "1906"

on round stepped base, with plaque inscribed, "Fac-Simile of Weather Cock on Stadt-Huys 1656/ Saint Nicholas Annual Dinner/ December 6, 1906", and signed "The Henry- Bonnard Bronze Co., Mount Vernon, N.Y.".

Height 6 1/4 x width 3 x depth 2 1/4 inches (overall).

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance:

Collection of Ron Hoffman and Tony Gampetro.

Note:

The Stadt Huys, or State House, located at what is now Pearl and Broad Streets in New York, was the first city hall of New Amsterdam under Dutch Colonial rule. Originally a city tavern, it served as a government building from 1653-1697. While it is said that the copper weather cock, of which this lot commemorates, once sat atop the Stadt Huys, it is possible the piece dated later to the 18th century and actually was installed on top of Federal Hall on Wall Street.

At some point well after the weather cock was removed from its original purpose, purportedly from the demolition of the Stadt Huys in 1700, it was acquired by Washington Irving for use at his home Sunnyside. In 1848, he gifted the piece to the Saint Nicholas Society, which still maintains it. The present lot was apparently made as a commemorative piece for their annual dinner in 1906.