This cast-iron rooster windmill weight, attributed to the Elgin Windmill Co., is a striking example of functional folk art from the late 19th century. Designed to counterbalance the tail vane of a windmill and regulate its movement in changing winds, the rooster form reflects the ingenuity of American agricultural craftsmanship. The boldly rendered bird, cast in durable iron, embodies the practical yet expressive aesthetic of the period, serving as both a utilitarian object and a proud barnyard symbol.