Posted 10 years ago
hotairfan
(385 items)
Here are (2) PA German Animal Effigies.
They were placed on the window sill of the barn to deter sickness or any other ill will that came into the area. The belief is that any ill will that entered the farm would go into the effigy instead of their livestock.
Belief was that once placed on the sill they are not to be touched of handled. Any handling done could release the ill will that was trapped in the effigy. I've been on a farm not too long ago where the farmer said that his grandfather told him never to disturb the iron animals on the window sill. They didn't know why, but, they were not about to question the wisdom of their grandfather. ...... hotairfan
Great antiques.
Sorry to keep bothering you....but I am really into your collection. Have you seen many forged snakes around?
Yes BHock45, they show up every now and then. I even saw them listed on Ebay sometimes, although it's hard to tell just how old they are without seeing them in person. I see most of them at farm sales and sometimes I'm lucky enough to bid on one.
cool. thanks hotairfan!
hotairfan.
I have been really trying to find one of these. Have you seen any around? I live just an hour and a half from Lancaster so we are in the same "area" Hope all is going well, talk to you later
Thanks for the comment BHock45. I found mine in Berks and Lebanon Counties, PA. I travel in Lancaster & York counties often (for farm auctions), but as of yet, I haven't found any for sale or even located them owned by fellow collectors in either county. If you are interested in locating these rare items, try looking in PA German and strict Mennonite areas, as these are a form of PA German POW WOW folk medicine which they both practiced.
I found that the Amish are not fond of graven images. I deal with a foundry in Intercourse, PA that is run by an Amish family and they will refuse to cast any item of graven images.