The falcon was placed on top of the upper sandstone tympanum of the building with the use of a crane, just where the old falcon used to stand. It stands firmly attached with a thick rod and embedded in a layer of mortar. This way it should be able to last for some time!
credit photos: Construction company Van Marrum BV Franeker
Update juni 2021: photos of the Valk after installation
The falcon stands firmly attached with a stainless steel threaded rod of 20 x 600 mm.
In June 2021 I was in Franeker during our holiday. I was asked to record something for a city tour and was told that the Valckeniershuis was in the process of being painted. An excellent opportunity to 'my’ to see the falcon up close again!
The falcon in front of the Valckeniershuis in Franeker is ready for installation: Rómulo has finshed the gilding. He gold plated it completely in 23,75 carat double gold leaf. It's become a real eye-catcher, or as Rob the Great Garden Gnome would say: “As ay finnesing toots it wos cumpleetlee gilded, end now it iz ay reel ayketchur.”
For contrast, the footrest was not gold plated, and between the legs, differently to the original, some extra stone was left for stability, through which later a 2 cm thick stainless steel wire end will be glued for securing it to the roof. That part was painted in a charcoal colour. The pen comes up into the chest of the bird; so does that never fall down.
Soon, the figurine will be placed on top of the tympanum of the Falconers House by the contractor . Read more…
