Our weathervanes are handmade in New Zealand using traditional sand-casting methods, a technique that dates back to ancient Egypt and still produces the best result. Thirteen designs, each built to spend decades on a rooftop, fence post or shed looking fantastic and pointing you in the right direction.
A weathervane, or wind vane, is an architectural ornament that combines both practical function and decoration. Traditionally placed on the highest point of a building and used to tell the direction of the wind, these days they feature as more of a decorative embellishment in the garden or home.
How are sandcast weathervanes made?
Each weathervane starts as molten aluminium poured by hand into a sand mould, the same method craftspeople have used for centuries. Once set and removed from the mould, it is assembled by hand and finished with a hardy black powder coat that keeps it looking sharp after years of facing the elements. The result is rust-free, solid, and built for smooth, silent rotation.
Materials: sand-cast aluminium and brass body, galvanised steel stem and mounting plate, aluminium rods, and a ball bearing for smooth movement. Each one ships in a gift box inside a shipping box.
How does a weathervane work?
Weathervanes are carefully designed to effectively catch the breeze and evenly distribute airflow on either side of the vane, rotating the body and allowing the pointer or front of the wind vane to point towards the direction that the wind is blowing.
How are they made?
Our weathervanes are proudly Made in New Zealand and handcrafted from premium quality aluminium and brass using a traditional sand casting technique. Finished with black powder coating for protection against the harsh NZ climate, and to give a lovely finish highlighting the intricate details of the designs, our weathervanes are rust free, solid and excellent value for money.
Our weathervanes are compromised of the following components - main body and pointer of the vane, North, South, East and West points of the compass, a stem and welded base plate for easy installation. The provided ball bearing ensures smooth running movement.
What designs are available?
Thirteen designs, and there is something here for almost everyone. Take a close look at each one too. The Cat has a cheeky mouse as its pointer. The Trout has a tiny fly hook. The Snapper, Whale and Marlin each hide a small fish in the detail.
- Weathervane Rooster, the all-time best seller. Classic for a reason.
- Weathervane Snapper, for the keen fisherman, or anyone who just loves snapper.
- Weathervane Trout, the fly fishing devotee's choice.
- Weathervane Marlin, for the big game angler or coastal garden.
- Weathervane Whale, commanding, and surprisingly elegant up close.
- Weathervane Kiwi, the proudly Kiwi option. Enough said.
- Weathervane Horse, for the paddock, the lifestyle block, or the garden that deserves a bit of equestrian elegance.
- Weathervane Cat, spot the mouse.
- Weathervane Dog, loyal, even on a rooftop.
- Weathervane Bull, for the farm, the lifestyle block, or anyone who identifies with the bull.
- Weathervane Yacht, for the sailor, or the garden with a view.
- Weathervane Kangaroo, because why not.
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Weathervane Arrow, the traditional choice. Simple, sharp, timeless.
The gift nobody knew they needed
Stuck for a gift for the gardener, farmer or fisherman who has everything? This is it. NZ made, ships in a gift box, and the kind of thing that gets pointed out to every single visitor. Browse the full sandcast weathervanes NZ range at bugg®.
