What is this crazy cover?

[spuldup]

We found this...cover... thing, by the water well head. By the edge of the woods. It is about 4 feet in diameter and heavy as hell. One can not lift it by hand. It seems to resist rust rather well. This is by an old spring house that we raized a few months ago. Nothing was underneath it. Anyone know what this was intended to do?

 

[CincyBurner]

bird bath, flower pot, decorative architectural feature (upside down) . . . ?
Round post looks like it might attach lock in to something.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Was thinking the base of a fountain? We’d have a better idea if we saw the other side.

Lever and fulcrum time!

 

[johneh]

We have something like that here. The centre cover has a hand well pump
that still pumps water, under the cover is a dug well stone-lined. At one time
it pumped water into a trough for the horses to drink from

 

[woodgeek]

I too am voting upside down bird bath

 

[EbS-P]

I think it is a bowl to fountain. See something similar..

19th century cast iron fountain — CHARLESTON GARDENWORKS

Item #5011 an American antique cast iron crane fountain from a Philadelphia foundry. The fountain is marked PATENTED APRIL 11th c.1871. The bowl is decorated with acanthus leaves and is set atop a pedestal with three cranes forming the base. Three pieces. H42" ,W35"&amp

www.charlestongardenworks.com

 

[spuldup]

I didn't get photos of it upside down (need the tractor to flip it) but I can say the casting on the bottom is not as precise as the side shown. As is it was meant to be presented form the side I have shown.

 

[Ashful]

Bird bath was the first thought in my mind, when I saw the OP. I see that one already has two votes, so call mine third.