cast iron urn identification?

Any large object made of cast iron and meant for outdoor use (such as bridges, architectural elements, and garden furniture) would have been originally painted in order to protect it from corrosion, typically with a linseed oil paint with lead based pigments. If the protective coating has deteriorated and/or been removed, it seems rather artificial to try to maintain a surface that looks like unpainted iron. The object would never have looked like that when in use, unless it was poorly maintained. Most effective rust "stabilizers" are based on tannic acid, which reacts with rust to form a dark colored coating. In addition to a stabilizer, to prevent corrosion in the future there needs to be a coating that totally excludes air and moisture, which is actually pretty difficult to achieve - hence the multiple coats of paint on an old iron object. (Lead based paints were actually better at protecting iron because of specific chemical reactions that occurred, that are not replicated by modern paints.)

 

Thank you for some informative articles. Unfortunately, most all of the old paint is now removed, there are just flecks of paint and lots of rust. I think I have to get that all off in order to stabilize, seal and paint...

 

Thank you for this. I am looking into properly removing the rest of the paint flakes and rust and then will see about stabilizing and painting them. I did read that the old lead based paints were better, but of course are no longer available....

 

I can't tell for certain but I think this is a fountain(?) in the same pattern as yours. Of course they don't give a maker but date it c1880 though not sure where they got that. Not much help Sold earlier this year in the US for $550.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/61580081_victorian-cast-iron-fountain-circa-1880

 

Hi,
To remove all of the paint incrustations and rust I would have it blasted by walnut shells DO NOT USE SAND BLASTING. Then painted with a good outdoor paint NOT a latex paint. The shell blasting will make the decoration more pronounced. My urns are 100 to 150 years old and look great. They look close to the plastic urns that are made now but weight 100 times as much.
greg

 

You're right! I believe it is the same pattern. It really is beautiful.