Frequently Asked Questions.

How does the commission process work?

It starts with a conversation. Tell me what you have in mind, the subject, a rough size, and where it will live, and I will give you a ballpark price so you know where things stand before we go further. If the direction feels right and you would like to move ahead, a deposit reserves your place on the schedule and is what puts the design work in motion.

From there I draw the plans, working closely with you to refine the concept until the drawing captures your vision. Once the design is approved, I provide a firm quote with the final cost and the timeline for completion, and the build begins.

I no longer prepare drawings before a deposit is in hand. Each design takes real time at the bench, and with a waitlist running three years and more, that time is reserved for clients who are committed to seeing their piece through. It keeps things fair to everyone in line and lets me give every commission the attention it deserves.

What determines the price of a custom weathervane?

Every custom piece is one of a kind, sculpted entirely by hand in copper repousse over hundreds of hours, so cost depends on the size, the complexity of the subject, and any gold, palladium, or platinum leaf you choose. As a starting point, custom commissions begin at $35,000, with most pieces priced according to their scale and detail. For a more accessible entry, our Limited Edition weathervanes range from $9,500 to $23,000, and we periodically offer antique and consignment pieces as well.

Do you require a deposit, and is it credited toward the piece?

Yes. For a custom commission, a one-third deposit reserves your place on the schedule and puts the design work in motion. For a numbered Limited Edition piece, a one-half deposit secures your place in the edition. In both cases the deposit is credited toward the final price of your weathervane. I no longer prepare drawings before a deposit is in hand, since each design takes real time at the bench and that time is held for clients who are ready to move forward.

How long will my weathervane take?

The current waitlist runs three years and more. Each piece is made entirely by hand, and I take on a limited number of commissions at a time so that every one receives the attention it deserves. Once your design is approved I will give you a firm timeline for completion, and I keep you updated as your piece moves through the studio.

What is included in the price?

A handcrafted copper repousse weathervane, custom bronze, brass, and copper cardinal points, our custom bronze proprietary universal roof bracket or a cupola mount, and a custom shaft, all finished with marine grade hardware.

What are the materials?

The finest copper sheet available, along with bronze and brass, all non-ferrous metals, and 316 marine grade stainless steel. Optional accents are available in 23.5 carat Manetti gold leaf, palladium, or platinum leaf.

Will the copper turn green? Do you apply a patina?

I do not apply any artificial patina. Copper is a living finish, and each piece is left to weather naturally in its own setting. Over time it will move through warm browns toward the soft verdigris green that copper is loved for, at a pace shaped by your climate and exposure. The result is a finish that is truly your own and unlike any other.

Can you recreate or copy an existing weathervane?

Every weathervane I make is an original, designed for one client and one home. I do not produce replicas or copies of existing pieces, including those in my own portfolio. The Custom portfolio is there to show you the range of what is possible and to spark ideas, and from there we design something that is entirely yours.

Do you offer anything more affordable than a custom commission?

Yes. If a full custom commission is more than you are looking for, our Limited Edition weathervanes range from $9,500 to $23,000 and carry the same handcrafted copper repousse work in a numbered edition. From time to time I also offer antique and consignment weathervanes, including original Travis Tuck pieces. Reach out and I am glad to point you toward what is currently available.

Do you repair or restore weathervanes?

On a limited basis. I take in repair and restoration work for pieces made by our own studio, including original Travis Tuck weathervanes, and for select antiques of particular significance. I am also recognized as an appraiser and reseller of fine weathervanes for certain clients. If you have a piece you think qualifies, send me a few photos and a description and I will let you know whether it is something I can take on.

How is the weathervane mounted or installed?

Each weathervane comes ready to mount, with a custom shaft and all marine grade hardware, set up for either a cupola or our custom bronze proprietary universal roof bracket depending on your roof. I will talk you through the right approach for your home, and I work with your builder or installer to make sure it goes up correctly and stands true to the wind.

Do you ship, and where are your weathervanes installed?

Yes, I ship worldwide. My work is installed across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, throughout New York, the Hamptons, and Connecticut, and on rooftops and in collections around the world. Wherever you are, I can get your piece to you safely.

Can I commission something other than a weathervane?

Absolutely. Beyond weathervanes, I create sculptures, cast bronze, compass roses, island wall maps, and belt buckles, all in the same hand-worked tradition. If you have an idea for a piece, let us talk it through.

How do I get started?

The first step is simply to reach out. Tell me what you are imagining and where it will live, and I will give you a ballpark price and walk you through what comes next. You can call the studio at 508-693-3914 or email me at aeholand@tuckandholand.com. I look forward to hearing from you.