Antique Copper Starburst Lightning Rod w/ Direct Strike Evidence, Mathews VA
- Regular Price
- $329.00
- Sale Price
- $329.00
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This piece was salvaged directly from a historic 18th-century farmhouse located in the coastal community of Mathews, Virginia (Mathews County) near the Chesapeake Bay. While the home itself dates to the 1700s, this decorative safety finial was added during the post-Civil War Victorian era (circa 1870s–1880s) to protect the prized wooden home from severe coastal storms.
Fascinating Feature: Evidence of a Direct Strike
As seen in the close-up photographs, the top of the twisted cable where it meets the solid copper collar shows heavy bubbling, localized melting, blistering, and deep carbon-black pitting. This unique texturing is highly characteristic of extreme thermal energy, meaning this lightning rod successfully took a direct high-voltage lightning strike, saving the historic home it protected. The central vertical needle spike was likely cleanly claimed by the same blast, leaving behind this stunning 13-point starburst collar.
Product Dimensions & Condition:
- Total Length: 27 Inches (Perfect size for mantelpiece, shelf, or wall display)
- Starburst Dimensions: Approx. 7" Wide x 4.25" High
- Patina: Spectacular, untouched "penny" orange and soft green oxidation. It features a rich, heavy dark texturing on the cable accelerated by decades of salty Virginia coastal air.
- Condition Note: Sold strictly as a historical collectible architectural artifact. It retains its absolute original patina and has never been cleaned, chemically treated, or polished to preserve its maximum market value.