What’s this thing in my garden?

[Bearsinmotion]

Hoping the picture will upload! We live in an old (1800s) farm cottage. I have recently been clearing a load of ivy and found this pot underneath, and it’s been puzzling me ever since! It has a small bowl at front with a hole to the inside of the pot. It has no other holes, the bit that looks like a lid isn’t, and it was clearly not designed to be opened. So what on earth is it for?!

Animal / hedgehog water dispenser www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078M9QD9X/ref=as_li_tl?linkCode=as2&linkId=1wx9b0w6s7jv1qdg0013j4t5j28d8ha2&creativeASIN=B078M9QD9X&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8&creative=9325&camp=1789 like this

That does look like it! But do you somehow fill it up? Otherwise why have that big bit on the top?

Does it move - it's not plumbed in to the mains or something?

I think you just submerged it in a bucket of water, upside down, the air bubbles out of the front opening. Then, when you take it out, the little dish at the front fills up, but doesn't overflow. The sealed unit means that there is the pressure to hold the head of water in place.

I'd imagine the top bit is to help move it/pick it up, and may be to do with how it was been made. It the top came off, then there wouldn't be the sealed unit, and the water could trickle out.

That seems to be it Verbrithien, I filled it upside down with the hose and the water pressure has stabilised it. It’s now installed between the hedgehog house and bug hotel ready for customers!

why have that big bit on the top?

1. easier for the potter to throw
2. easier for you to wrestle with when refilling.

I love finding strange things in the gardens of houses, glad your strange thing is being put to use.

I have no idea what it is but I love it and wish I would find one in my garden (unlikely). Unusual objects like that are just so delightful and precious. I hope many hedgehogs (and birds and other wildlife) come and use it :-) x

I am really pleased I can use it so thanks MrsPernicious for identifying it!

The house was owned by the same farming family since it was built until we bought it, and the garden was hugely overgrown. We’re clearing it on Monday, I will be keeping an eye out for anything other interesting artefacts hidden out there!