Cast Iron Bird Bath/Feeder

It is 11 1/4" x 8 1/2" across. Seem like it was mounted to something.
Bird feeder? Suggestions on age?
Thanks

 

Could be but surprised there would be that much decoration under water. Guessing the stand was fused at the forge and has broken off

 

Bird baths are usually made of stone of some other material that does not rust. I have no idea what your piece is?

 

May be architectural detail-imagine about 100 of these around the wall-to-ceiling joint of some ballroom, spaced a foot or two apart. Painted of course. The broken-off protrusion on the back for a bolt or whatever was what secured it into the wood or plaster behind.

Not large enuf for birdbath unless we're talking about hummingbirds, which by the way are never welcomed by other birds in a birdbath since their wings quickly foam up the water.

 

I suspect part of a fountain - wall mounted.

There's loads of cast iron birdbaths and fountains here. The rust or patina to be fancy, gives it the edge.

 

I could picture it on a stand as a place for visitors to drop calling cards or some such thing. (Pre-rust, that is.)

 

How 'bout an exterior architectural detail? Inside they can be made of plaster but outside must be weatherproof and painted cast iron would work and be cheaper than stone carvings.

 

A similar one on a NY online store site. Only desc. Was "vintage cast iron bowl." Seeing how it does not sit level, must have some projection on bottom. No dims. given.

https://springfieldarsenal.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=183

I am convinced that cast iron bowl-shaped objects like this were not intended to sit level and hold water. If they were the portion expected to be submerged would have been given little if any raised detail as the relief portion would be wasted work and material.

 

You'd be surprised, spring. There's lovely relief work that came out of Coalbrookdale meant as both bird baths and fountain bowls.

 

Looking at the underside of the thing, it appears not to have been intended to be visible as it has some unrepaired casting flaws and is simply the reverse of the mold face rather than a planned design.

Also most of the bottom surface has not been in contact with the elements at all, in contrast to much of the top which is rough from corrosion. These observations are inconsistent with design for or use as fully-exposed decorative cast iron.

 

https://springfieldarsenal.wordpress.com/wp-admin/upload.php?item=184

 

I love it when you talk dirty !!

hAHAHA!!!!!!!!

 

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that's odd....

 

Sorry SOS. Wordpress is a lot easier for me to use to store pix but copying the best link for viewing is sometimes a challenge-looks like that one doesn't work everywhere.