19th C. Stoneware: Hand-Thrown Chicken Waterer

UnderMiner

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Went on a kayaking adventure today and discovered a new location chock full of historic artifacts.

Here's a stoneware mystery artifact I spied in the riverbank. I thought initially that it could be a jug or crock, but it turned out to be something much more unique:
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It is a Victorian-age stoneware poultry fountain or "chicken waterer". These devices were developed in the mid-19th century by farmers to allow their chickens to drink. The jug was filled with water and then placed in a shallow dish. As the chickens drank the water level would slowly go below the hole relieving the water pressure and refilling the dish up to the level of the hole but not higher. Modern devices of plastic and glass are still used today and operate in much the same way.

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Here are some of the other artifacts, note the early brass camera aperture and 1883 pattern glass insulators:
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Upvote 23

slammyz69

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Apr 27, 2022
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By god you never know what’s next you pull out into the light of day again ..lol chicken 🐔 watering jug very clever devise for busy farmers back in the day .. looks like you found a good spot !
 

Gare

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Nice going !! Still in pretty decent condition
 

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pepperj

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That is a very cool recovery, well done!
Nice medicine also, too bad the insulators are damaged as it's hard to get one that is not got a chip even.

Growing up we used to put them along the big picture window, and string Xmas lights under them.
Gave off a real nice effect.

What's the ruby coloured glass piece a bottom, sealer lid or a lens?
 

Digger RJ

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Went on a kayaking adventure today and discovered a new location chock full of historic artifacts.

Here's a stoneware mystery artifact I spied in the riverbank. I thought initially that it could be a jug or crock, but it turned out to be something much more unique:
View attachment 2040332
View attachment 2040333
View attachment 2040334
View attachment 2040335
It is a Victorian-age stoneware poultry fountain or "chicken waterer". These devices were developed in the mid-19th century by farmers to allow their chickens to drink. The jug was filled with water and then placed in a shallow dish. As the chickens drank the water level would slowly go below the hole relieving the water pressure and refilling the dish up to the level of the hole but not higher. Modern devices of plastic and glass are still used today and operate in much the same way.

View attachment 2040336

Here are some of the other artifacts, note the early brass camera aperture and 1883 pattern glass insulators:
View attachment 2040337
View attachment 2040338
Very Cool!!! Congrats!!!
 

JohnnyMac

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Went on a kayaking adventure today and discovered a new location chock full of historic artifacts.

Here's a stoneware mystery artifact I spied in the riverbank. I thought initially that it could be a jug or crock, but it turned out to be something much more unique:
View attachment 2040332
View attachment 2040333
View attachment 2040334
View attachment 2040335
It is a Victorian-age stoneware poultry fountain or "chicken waterer". These devices were developed in the mid-19th century by farmers to allow their chickens to drink. The jug was filled with water and then placed in a shallow dish. As the chickens drank the water level would slowly go below the hole relieving the water pressure and refilling the dish up to the level of the hole but not higher. Modern devices of plastic and glass are still used today and operate in much the same way.

View attachment 2040336

Here are some of the other artifacts, note the early brass camera aperture and 1883 pattern glass insulators:
View attachment 2040337
View attachment 2040338
Super cool find.
 

OP
OP
UnderMiner

UnderMiner

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That is a very cool recovery, well done!
Nice medicine also, too bad the insulators are damaged as it's hard to get one that is not got a chip even.

Growing up we used to put them along the big picture window, and string Xmas lights under them.
Gave off a real nice effect.

What's the ruby coloured glass piece a bottom, sealer lid or a lens?
I'm quite positive that it's a brake light lens from an early automobile.
 

Lenrac2

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Cool finds! Amazing the waterer is still intact!
 

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