Weather Houses are fascinating and historic pieces that are handcrafted in the shape of a chalet and feature a number of interesting figurines which are designed to tell the weather. How? The figurines move about in different patterns when it’s sunny outside or when it’s raining. So, they don’t truly give you a weather forecast, but they are fun and kitschy! If you’ve never seen one or heard about these captivating souvenirs, I’m going to give you just a bit of history of the German Weather House and clocks and where you can buy one.
What Is A German Weather House?
With a sweet vintage German postcard!
A German Weather house is a piece of folk art that is technically a hygrometer, meaning it can also indicate the weather. It’s often crafted in the shape of an alpine chalet with two open doors – a classic scene found in German culture and folklore. The weather house also features both a Bavarian male and female figurine that sits on a balance bar that swings the figurines in or out of the house, depending on the weather and humidity. The balance bar is made of catgut or hair. The gut relaxes or shrinks based on the humidity in the surrounding air, relaxing when the air is wet and tensing when the air is dry. When the weather is dry and sunny, the female will emerge from the house, while the male will pop out only when it’s going to rain. Some German weather houses are also made with a small thermometer placed between the two doors, and others will have a tiny piggy bank attached to it as well.
Weather houses are a popular souvenir that has been a long tradition in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The exact date of their origin remains unknown, however, they were likely made in Germany back in the late 1700s to early 1800s. The finest weather houses are made today in the Black Forest region of Germany, and many continue to be hand-painted and carved out of solid wood by artisans to resemble the classic cuckoo clocks and are generally 5" to 11" in size.
Looking for a beautifully crafted German weather clock for your home, but made in the U.S.? The Frankenmuth Clock Company in Frankenmuth, Michigan still produces a big variety. You can choose from a range of different styles that feature a unique variety of characters, from deer to dogs to trees, beer drinkers, water troughs, and mushrooms. Intricate and extraordinary, these are custom made and are always a captivating piece to have on display.
Cuckoo Chalet style Clocks
A close relative to the weather houses are the "Chalet" style, Swiss mantel or hanging cuckoo clocks where an invention from 1920 by Zurich Company Lötscher in Switzerland. At that time they were highly valued as souvenirs. However, what could come as a surprise is learning that Switzerland is not, in fact, the home of the cuckoo clock and that the quartz clocks were originally made in the Black Forest region of southern Germany. The German clocks tend to have a hunting lodge theme and have a heavier, more ornate design. The inexpensive versions of the chalet style became very popular as souvenirs known for their fun, bright colors.
Enjoy our little collection and send us pictures of your treasures!
by: Melissa Sharples (owner, Freakin’ Antiquin’ Vintage Market, Springfield, MO) February 3, 2021
What are they and why do you need one?
Well, you don’t really need one, but once you use one, you may think, “why didn’t I know about these before?” Mostly these days, they are fun kitchen collectibles...like we all need another collection to dust, right?!
For years, I would see these little ceramic figurines (or what I thought were just figurines) in vintage markets, but had no idea what they were. I knew they had to have a purpose because why would they be open at the bottom and have a hole somewhere in the top. Fortunately, an older and wiser friend finally clued me in to the story and I became fascinated! I love adorable items with a functional purpose, so I researched them a bit, and then had a vague recollection of one in my grandmother’s kitchen.
A Little History
Because I love learning the history of items (guess that’s why I’m in the “junk” business), I just can’t resist passing what I’ve learned on to others.
A pie bird, also known as a pie vent, pie whistle, pie funnel, or pie chimney is a hollow ceramic device, that originated in Europe around the 1700s. It can be shaped like a funnel, chimney, or an up-stretched bird with open beak or many other animals, characters, etc. The pie bird is an fun, quirky and practical device used for supporting or venting a pie. It's quaint and charming, and making a come-back in the world of pie baking.
Funnel-style steam vents have been placed in the center of fruit and meat pies during cooking since Victorian times. Because older ovens had problems with uniform heating, pie filling would often boil over and create a not-so-lovely pie. And of course, the filling burning on the bottom of the oven created a stinky and time-consuming mess. Chefs found that by venting the built-up steam during baking, the pie's contents didn't boil over and seep between the two crusts. The appearance of the pie was more pleasing, and there was less or no clean-up on the bottom of the oven after baking. Soon, every cook and chef was using a pie vent.
Though English bakers started using workmanlike ceramic funnels for this purpose in the early 1800s, this useful baking tool didn't take on fanciful bird form until migrating to the United States in the 1930s. Who doesn’t remember that old nursery rhyme, “Sing a Song of Sixpence?” Four and twenty blackbirds, baked in a pie. When the pie was opened, the birds began to sing … Could this be the inspiration for the bird form? Many historians think so and why else would the first “character” pie vent be in the form of a bird?
Earlier in time, more often than not, pies were baked with some sort of meat filling. Sometimes a local butcher or baker would offer pie birds to customers buying their goods. They might have had a mark of some sort or the merchant’s name on them. In those cases, pie birds were promotional items and an early form of advertising.
By the early to mid 1900s, there were several companies in the United States turning out the bird- and animal-shaped pie vents. The Morton Pottery company opened its doors in 1922 in Morton, Illinois, and was created out of the remains of two earlier potteries. A California company, Cleminson Pottery, opened its doors in 1941. George and Betty Cleminson began their pottery business in their garage. Along with pie birds, they also made other kitchenware items. Betty’s pie birds were folksy and mostly a rooster in soft colors. The company grew, but ceased operations in 1963 due to the influx of cheaper items from Japan. Vintage Cleminson pie birds run in the neighborhood of $25 - $30. Vintage Morton pie birds from the ’40s or ’50s usually bring from $20 to $75. Shawnee Potteries, another American potter, was located in Zanesville, Ohio, and known for their collaboration with Pillsbury Company. Today you can find vintage pie birds Shawnee produced as premiums for the flour company. The Morton and Shawnee pie birds appear to be soft pastel colors, whereas the English creations seem to have a bit more color and detailing to them.
Over the years, pie birds and vents were made by several English potters. Babbacombe Potteries in England produced a number of vintage pie birds starting in the early 1950s and continued making them for several years. Today, there are a number of contemporary English potters that have produced these funnels including Stuart Bass, who has created several series of collectible pie birds. Aside from birds, his characters include dogs, cats, and farm animals, as well as wizards and a unique winged dragon. Each of his pie funnels are created individually. They are modern originals, not reproductions, and are painted by hand. Prices for a Stuart Bass run from $50 and up. The English pottery, Nutbrown, produced several vintage pie birds. Today, examples of their pagoda and elephant pieces made in the 1930s and 1940s can be found from $100 to $150.
Pie birds were mostly made as inexpensive little items and as such, they were offered for sale in dime stores such as Woolworths and Kresge’s. They were also found in the houseware section of stores like Sears and Roebuck. Bakers are rediscovering their usefulness and now due to their increasing popularity as gifts and collectors' items (rather than simply utilitarian kitchen tools) they're being manufactured again. Pyrex even got into the act, making clear glass versions. But they didn't sell as well as their more charming bird and figure-shaped counterparts.
As with any ceramic, condition reflects in the price, and therefore, chips and cracks will detract from the appearance of the piece. True to their name, the ones in the form of birds seem to be more popular than other categories. There are reproductions of vintage pie birds, and should be sold as such, but many times, they’re not. Some manufacturers have their pottery mark, which helps identify the maker. Some do not. On many of the older authentic ones, the arches are cut deeper in order to allow the steam to enter the base of the funnel, while on a number of the purely decorative birds, the arches are much shallower. Standard colors and designs used by certain pottery companies can also help in verification.
Functionality and Application
This cute and handy device was also used to support the pastry crust in the center of the pie, so that it did not sag in the middle. As a result of this use, pie birds were occasionally known as "crust-holders."
To use a pie bird, simply roll out the bottom layer of pastry for a pie, press it into the pie pan, and then gently place the pie bird (vent) in the middle of the crust. Pie filling is then placed around the pie bird. The top layer of crust is rolled out and an X, slightly smaller than the girth of the bird, is cut into the crust. Then the crust is carefully lowered over the device and the filling. The top of the pie bird projects from the pie, allowing steam to escape, while the rest of the body remains buried in the filling.
When a pie has a bird (vent) inserted, the upper crust doesn't need any other treatment for steam-escape, such as the piercing usually done. Some people prefer this unbroken, smooth look, as it looks neater when presented. Some cooks also like the look of a whole pie served with a pie bird—its old-fashioned look creates a warm ambiance to a meal. Frankly, it’s a sweet conversation starter and wouldn’t it make a wonderful hostess gift? Bring a pie and gift the pie plate and pie bird to the hostess!
Are you curious about pie birds now? Or, do you already collect them? If not, but you want to start a collection, go search your grandmother’s cabinets. You might find one and I’m sure she’s happy to gift it to you. If you’re looking for a new challenging collection, the vintage ones are difficult to find, but what a fun challenge and beautiful collection to start!
If you have a collection of these wonderful pie birds, send me a picture of your collection at freakinantiquinjunk@gmail.com I would love to see it! If you have one and wish to sell it, I’m pretty sure I’m in the market for a few* (insert eye-roll and a sigh)!
* updated...the ladies at my market bought me several for Christmas so I officially have a new collection!
by: Melissa Sharples (owner, Freakin’ Antiquin’ Vintage Market, Springfield, MO)
Credit for research goes to:
Alice Osborne at Cook’n
David McCormick Antique Trader
Kate Ellsworth Taste of Home
Katy McColl Country Living
Vintage pie bird
The beginning of my pie bird collection!
Want to go on a FREE junking trip with Freakin’ Antiquin’ Vintage Market? You could earn a FREE trip! We have the truck and trailer, and we are planning a two day trip October 23-24. All travel, hotel and meals are provided by FA (Freakin Antiquin).
How do you “earn” the trip? You help us with marketing and receive points for posts shared on Facebook and Instagram. You make posts and mention the store, post pictures of things you bought at the store using @freakinantiquinvintagemarket for Facebook or @freakinantiquin to Instagram. You can tag pictures of yourself and friends “out and about” in your Freakin’ Antiquin’ shirts, check-in on FB at the store, get friends to mention FA on Facebook and Instagram, bring in or send in new customers, etc. Maybe while you’re at the store, you do a FB Live and highlight a favorite booth or item(s) you love?! If you need help learning how to post, tag, mention, etc on social media, find a 16-20 year old and ask for a lesson - LOL!
We must be able to see those posts which means you have to “mention or tag” the store by using one of the above depending on which social media application you are using. You get points for every post that we see on our FB and Instagram pages. In other words, you are advertising for us and you get your friends and family to do the same to help you earn a trip! Does this sound like something you can do? It’s easy and you have the entire month of September to do it! If interested, stop by the store to register and pick up your form to track your postings. We will give a better explanation and answer questions in person.
Do you ever wonder why so many seek out antiques and/or vintage items rather than buy new? I’m sure there are great number of reasons, but I’ve attempted to set out my thoughts on the wonderful world of antique/vintage shopping.
Generally, you get better quality. When these vintage products were made, craftsman and workers found true pride in producing a quality item. And, while not all items are perfect, part of the uniqueness may be that imperfection.
Made in USA? Yes, most vintage and antiques items we find locally were made in the United States, however a majority of our current home decor/goods are now made in China or Asian countries, using low quality materials. Don’t we say it all the time, “well, they just don’t make it like they used to!” There is a lot of truth to that, despite lots of small businesses and craftsman trying to make a come back by producing goods locally.
Better value - generally, you can find home decor, dishes, etc. much less expensively in a vintage market. For example, a set of four green glass bowls sold by a very popular cooking show host runs approximately $16 from a big “W” box store. Despite being “designed” in the USA to have a vintage look, they are made in China, however a set of very similar, but truly vintage green glass bowls in our store could easily be half that price, and probably better quality! Sometimes, you will pay more for items which are highly sought after as collectible, but that’s because the quality is so much better and people have discovered those items are worth the money - but a little harder to find!
The love of the history or nostalgia of items. Maybe your mother, father, grandparents or someone from your past had an item that you always admired, but another family member received that item as an inheritance, or the item was sold or lost. You decide to find a duplicate of that item to bring back fond memories, so you begin your treasure hunt. Maybe these are now items your children will treasure and be passed on for many generations. You might discover it’s a lot of fun and it becomes a passion!
It supports local business and boosts local economy. Each dealer in the market is within itself a small business and though most dealers are in this business for the love of it, some do use this opportunity to supplement their income.
Looking for a clock, lamps/light fixtures, dishes, glasses, vases, paintings, prints, frames, buckets, planters, fabric, aprons, tables, chairs, linens, or other decorative items? Vintage markets have those, with lots of varieties of each! Most of the items are pre-1980s and the quality is simply better!
Collecting is a big part of shopping vintage also. Many people feel it’s a lot of fun to find a pattern of dishes they want to collect or use and then go on the hunt for them! Take a friend or family member and walk down memory lane while you are on that treasure hunt.
Maybe you’re creative and you learn that you can find pieces of history to combine and create something useful or decorative! Vintage markets are full of pieces of old furniture, architecture, tools, industrial, farm and other interesting items...all just waiting to be repurposed into something fun and amazing!
Buying antique or vintage is a great way to recycle, upcycle, reduce and reuse, but not everyone who buys antiques or vintage is concerned about recycling. Many simply enjoy the history of the item(s), the beautiful quality, the uniqueness, and never consider how they truly are helping our environment - win/win! Maybe you don’t take the time to recycle paper, glass, plastic and other materials, but you can certainly feel good about shopping in an antique/vintage market because you are giving back to your community and planet Earth in a variety of ways.
Lastly, you can meet the nicest people shopping in vintage markets! If you are shopping vintage, almost everyone you meet has something in common with you, because they appreciate antique and vintage finds for one of the reasons you do. So, invite a family member or friend to join you on a fun day of searching for those treasures which reach out or speak to you for many different reasons. Stop by Freakin’ Antiquin’ Vintage Market in Springfield, Missouri, tell us you saw this article, buy a cup of Freakin’ Good Coffee and enjoy a stroll in our store!
Happy “Hunting” Friends,
Melissa @ #FreakinAntiquinVintageMarket
#shopvintage
#shopantiques
Recently, I asked my 13 year old grandson if he knew what a flower frog was and what it did. He didn’t, but after showing one to him, he had some fun and interesting ideas for its use. I then gave him the challenge of finding several in my home...explaining they were not all shaped or made from the same material. We had fun with the scavenger hunt!
Cage, pin, class and figurine styles!
Basically, flower frogs are functional and fun to collect because they are made from several different materials and a variety of styles. Flower frogs date back to the 14th century. The Japanese used them to help in creating flower arrangements. They are made of glass, pottery, ceramic, wire (hairpin), metal, stone and plastic.
Many believe the word “frog” is used because it sits in water inside the container/vase. They became popular in the United States during the 20s and 30s. Once the water absorbent foam was invented, frogs lost their popularity for function.
In recent years, they have become quite collectible and have found other uses for decorating. The flower frogs with holes or the cage style can be used to hold pens, pencils, makeup and artist brushes. The metal pin/spike style frogs make great picture or business and post card holders, and since they come in many sizes, you can stack them to create a “frog” tree! Extremely old ones are cone and mushroom shaped, while others are figurines with holes in the base for the flower stems. All styles come in several different colors which adds to the fun of collecting and decorating with them.
Do you have a collection? Tell us how you use them or display them. If you are intrigued by these fun flower frogs and decide to hunt for them, we always have a good variety at Freakin’ Antiquin’ Vintage Market. Come see us at 2259 E. Bennett, Springfield, Missouri. Let us know you saw this article and if you enjoyed it.
Melissa @ #FreakinAntiquinVintageMarket
