Scott NC Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 I was watching the news this morning about the unveiling of the Notre Dame Cathedral Spire and what caught my attention was the gold rooster on top. I couldn't find much on who actually made it or any details, but one site said it was made of "gold copper". I looked that up and found Tumbaga, an alloy used in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. I would like to know what this rooster is made of. I did find this: "It's a phoenix," said Philippe Villeneuve, the chief architect of historical sites who designed the flame-shaped rooster. (It) shows that the flame is carried to the highest point of the cathedral... the fire is carried up there, but it's a fire of resurrection," he said, recalling the moment when he was holding the fallen rooster in front of cameras after the devastating fire. Here's a link to the history of the Rooster, it has some religious content, in case that's a concern: https://www.friendsofnotredamedeparis.org/cathedral/artifacts/rooster/ I also watched a video on the creation of the bottom part of the spire called the trestle which is wood and was impressive. Maybe this should go in "Everything Else" section but I am interested in the Gold Rooster and what it's made of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 Scott, here is a link to the wikipedia article on the Gallic Rooster. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallic_rooster I have a post card published just after World War 1 of a pile of German artillery with a French rooster on top. I suspect that the "gold-copper" may be a translation glitch meaning gold plated copper. That said, copper is a common aditive to gold ti increase hardness for less than 24 karat gold jewelry. GNM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 8 karat gold is not uncommon in European jewelry and is typically 1/3 gold and 2/3 copper (sometimes with some silver as well). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott NC Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 To tell you the truth, the old rooster that fell off when it burned down is more appeling to me than the nice shiney new one, the more I look at it. I don't think I would plate something going way up there, under the circumstaces, just to weather off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott NC Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 3 hours ago, George N. M. said: I have a post card published just after World War 1 of a pile of German artillery with a French rooster on top. That may be really personal thing but if not, it would be interesting to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 Thanks for posting this. It is the first I have ever seen anything, about a rooster atop the spire at Notre Dame, just fascinating. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s. Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 Thanks for the post and link Scott, I saw a blurb on the news but have been gone all day. I recall the fellow holding the old one after the fire and shots of the spire falling. I'll be spending time checking out the links thanks all. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 you may want to research an alloy called Tumbaga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 Scott, my papers and books are still pretty chaotic from moving to Laramie but if I can find it I will scan it and post it but I'm not optimistic. It will show up sooner or later and if it is some time I will PM a copy to you. IIRC it was a war trophy display in a park in Paris in 1919. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 19 hours ago, George N. M. said: I have a post card published just after World War 1 of a pile of German artillery with a French rooster on top. Here's the image (or a similar one, anyway), taken in 1919 by Red Cross volunteer, diarist, and photographer Margaret Hall: Further information is available on the website of the Massachusetts Historical Society, HERE. This also has links to other photographs by Ms. Hall, who appears to have been quite an interesting person. Here's a link to her Wikipedia article: Margaret Hall (photographer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott NC Posted February 16 Author Share Posted February 16 22 hours ago, Steve Sells said: you may want to research an alloy called Tumbaga I'm studying that right now. Thanks. I sent out some emails requesting contacts, links, details etc on that chicken. 20 hours ago, George N. M. said: my papers and books are still pretty chaotic from moving to Laramie Trust me, I can relate to that. Thanks for the offer and I would still like to see that postcard if you happen upon it. 20 hours ago, JHCC said: appears to have been quite an interesting person Indeed..... I have enjoyed looking at her other photos. Thanks for those links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott NC Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 I sent out several polite emails concerning the rooster and didn't get one reply. It must be a secret who made it. I did find this though: "In light-hearted comments, the architect said that the process of design was so intense he might have to speak to his “therapist” about it." It was from Irish News. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott NC Posted Monday at 05:42 PM Author Share Posted Monday at 05:42 PM Another catasrophic fire including a spire. I read somewhere, there were crowns saved from the top of it too, after it fell, just like the rooster, but have lost it. Some risked their lives to save the art inside the structure. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68848772.amp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike BR Posted Monday at 06:12 PM Share Posted Monday at 06:12 PM You can see it about 3/4 of the way down here:https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/webfeature/brand-i-borsen-fra-alarm-til-sidste-gloeder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted Monday at 08:18 PM Share Posted Monday at 08:18 PM Another fire in a major historical landmark during renovations. I hope it isn't a pattern. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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