Oh, that's a beauty! It was worth getting your clothes and car dirty, wasn't it? If you can't plug the whole, I've seen some people plant in them, and it looks just gorgeous! And you've got drainage already! Great Find!!

That's so pretty,what a great find. I'll bet it would look good with plants in it,maybe even a birdhouse or birdcage or a gazing ball in it,like the beautiful ones I've seen others make here :)

I think it would make a great bird feeder...I've always found that the conventional ones spill seed EVERYWHERE, well the birds actually spill the seed, and I always end up with millet growin in my yard all around where the feeders have been, but with this there would be prenty of room for them to pick around in it and get JUST the right piece they want without it going everywhere (also very easy for you to fill)...If used this way, then really there would be almost no work needed on it...it does have a cool old feeling, just like it is....or if you feel really compelled to paint it or do something to it, Then the outter visable parts would look new and pretty you could just leave the inside bowl area as is. bird seed would cover it and less risk to the birdies getting paint or a marble ;)

Great find!! I'd have been getting my clothes and car nasty too if I found something like that! The mosaic idea sounds like it has a lot of potential.

Suzanne

Lucky you!!! That's beautiful! Nice find!

Ohh yea, definately worth getting dirty for. Mosaicing is a great idea to help patch the hole. Be sure to use thinset to attach the mosaic pieces. Please post a finished picture.

I like the texture - it looks like a combination of something, I'm not quite sure what ..?
It is truly a fantastic find! Glad you enjoyed your treasure hunt !The Mosaicing will complete it!
God Bless !
susiesunshine

I love the algae on it myself. I think it would make a very cool planter. But a mosaic would definitely be awesome too. Make sure you share the "after" picture!

OMG, what an awesome find. Can I say, I am "algae" with envy here. If not a birdbath, that would make a wonderful planter. I do realize it might not be deep enough but even putting potted plants in it, like cascading ivy or vica vines and some sort of flowering plants in in would be so lovely. Please share pics of it when you're done. I'd love to see how you finish it.

Sal

Unfortuneatly it won't work as a bird feeder since it will hold water just long enough to comletely soak the seeds.

I considered using it as a planter but then I thought of the mosaic and it just seemed like the perfect idea.

Luna, I like the algae growing on the base too although some moss would be even better! Maybe I'll try to get some moss started growing on it. I might not clean up the base but the top will have to be cleaned before I can start on the mosaic.

bright199, what do you mean by thinset? I'm fairly new to creating mosaics and so far I've only done them on flower pots. I've just been using the pre-mixed mortar that I buy at Lowes. It's the same stuff I used to install the tiles on me kitchen countertops and back splash. And I plan on using regular unsanded grout to fill in the gaps.

Thinset is a concrete based adhesive. You buy it where all the tile and such are at Lowes. The main thing to worry about is your adhesive ok for outside. The mortar you have may actually be premixed thinset. You can buy it dry (just add water) or premixed. I always use the dry that way I can mix however much I need. If you used it on flower pots it should be ok. I can't wait to see how it comes out.

Karalynn, if you decide to use it as a planter, you might look at this thread for ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: Use for Old Cracked Birdbath

what a great find! it looks so old like it belongs in a cemetary or something. as much as I love mosaics I would probably only mosaic the inside cause I love the outside so much! or just use as a planter. whatever you decide I think it will be great. post pictures! :)

I was thinking, it would also make a great little butterfly station. You could do the mosaic, but then put some sand in the bottom, and then some smooth stones for them to land on. They would really like that.

That is old -old concrete and you should not sand blast it or alter it in any way you could prob get any where from $300-$500 for it if the base is not broke.

If you do decide to repair it, you can do that with thinset.
I live in Texas so when I repair I really don't have to worry about drastic temp changes.
The last one I did I mixed thinset a little thin and coated the entire inside of the bowl. After drying, I sealed it very well then applied the mosaics, with thinset, grouted and sealed again, really well.

{{gwi:194861}}