Last week we visited a stunning Georgian Colonial style home – 160 Provencal. It was originally commissioned by Inez Chapin, however, following her death before it was finished it was completed by our founder Hugo Higbie and his wife Marian Chapin (Inez’s daughter) in 1957.
This week we look at the history of a rather stunning weathervane that once graced the roof of 248 Provencal. In 2006 it became the most expensive weathervane in the world when it was sold at auction for nearly $6m.
There are many stunning weathervanes in Grosse Pointe, situated on the roofs and cupolas of some of the magnificent homes in the community. Once such example is the molded copper weathervane that was once situated on the roof of 248 Provencal – 5ft tall, a rare and elegant figure of an Indian chief hoisting a bow. It was reported “when the piece was auctioned on October 6, 2006, at Sotheby’s in New York it was estimated that it would bring up to $150,000.” In the end it sold for $5.84, allegedly to Jerry Lauren, executive vice president of men’s designs at Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation. Image courtesy of: ferroweathervanes.com.
It was reported “the weathervane represents the best of the Nineteenth Century mentality about the nobility of the Native American. As a sculpture, the figure has perfect expression, proportion and patina,” said New York dealer Sy Rappaport, an advisor to the Lauren’s. Source: www.antiquesandthearts.com. It is acknowledged by Sotheby’s specialist Nancy Druckman the piece was probably a special commission for a fraternal lodge or community institution. “It’s a masterpiece in every respect; remarkable for its size, condition and artistry,” noted the head of Sotheby’s American folk-art department, describing the auction as one of the most exciting events of her 30-plus-year career at the New York-based auction house. Image courtesy of: antiquesandthearts.com
It is alleged the weathervane was created around 1890 for about $75 (around $2,600 today). Source: ferroweathervanes.com. It was designed by The J. L. Mott Iron Works company, which was established by Jordan L. Mott in New York City in 1828. Following his death in 1866, the business was continued by his son, J.L. Mott, Jr. Research on Wikipedia states “the J. L. Mott Iron Works shop occupied the entire 11 floors of a building shop on Fifth Avenue and Seventeenth Street. An account cited that the basement, first and second floors displayed plumbing and bathroom fixtures. The rest of the upper floors were devoted to hospital, marine, and tile departments as well as the ornamental, heating, and furnaces departments. Plumbing fixtures, including enameled cast iron bathtubs were also a J.L. Mott specialty.” Image courtesy of: ferroweathervanes.com.
It is not clear how many Weathervanes the J. L. Mott Iron Works company created, who commissioned the Indian Chief, where it was situated prior to being located on 248 Provencal, or when it was purchased (or by whom) for the property. We do know, for years, the figure was situated on the roof of 248 Provencal, the sprawling 11,385 sq ft home that was situated on a six-acre lot.
248 Provencal was completed in 1925, designed by Robert O. Derrick during Derrick’s partnership at the firm of Brown, Preston & Derrick, and built by the firm of Wilson & Hunter. The clapboard Colonial style home, with 12-full baths, was built for Sidney Trowbridge Miller Jr. - an attorney, and the son of Sidney Trowbridge Miller, the founder of Michigan’s oldest and largest law firm Miller Canfield. The gardens were spectacular featuring hickory, elm, beech and maple trees. In 1947, the property was purchased by Josephine Clay Ford and her husband Walter Buhl Ford II. Over the years the couple made extensive alterations to the residence. Images courtesy of: Architecture magazine (June 1926). And Detroit Free Press (January 2007).
Josephine Ford was born in Dearborn on July 7, 1923. She was the daughter of Edsel Ford and the granddaughter of Henry Ford. In 1943, she married Walter Buhl Ford II whose family were prominent in the chemical business in the downriver suburbs of Detroit. The couple had two sons and two daughters (Walter Buhl Ford III, Eleanor Sullivan, Josephine Ingle, and Alfred B. Ford). Josephine and Walter Ford were major contributors to the College for Creative Studies (donating $20,000,000 in 1997) and the Detroit Institute of Arts along with other institutions. Walter passed on 26 October 1991, and Josephine passed on June 1, 2005. Following her death Elena Ford, the great-great- granddaughter of Henry Ford II moved into the property with her husband Joe Rippolone.
In 2007, the couple demolished the house and set about planning a 20,000 sq ft replacement. It is understood the couple hired architect Dominick Tringali to design their new 2 ½ story Prairie style home. It was intended the property would have two six-car garages and parking for a dozen more vehicles, an indoor pool and a rear courtyard. It was reported at the time Mr. Rippolone had saved a lot of the material from the original home after it was razed, such as woodwork, windows, sills, doors, fireplaces, cabinets and mantels. However, the 20,000 sq ft residence was never built and the land was eventually sold as three separate lots.
248 Provencal was a special home, with several prominent owners. However, what arguably made it more unique was the world’s most expensive weathervane that once sat on the roof of the property – just one of the many special works of art that once graced the historic homes in Grosse Pointe.
* Photos courtesy of the Higbie Maxon Agney archives unless stated.
** Research, information, and data sources are deemed reliable, but accuracy cannot be fully guaranteed.
Written by Katie Doelle
Copyright © 2025 Higbie Maxon Agney & Katie Doelle
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