Repurposing antique wrought iron spindles

I was at a yard sale and they called my name. I tried to say no but they ended up in my car anyways.

They are HEAVY.
By the time I got to my car carrying just two I was winded.

I don't know what to do with them, does anyone have any ideas?
Any guesses on era?

 

Noticed some of the detail got lost when shrinking file size

 

Sweet!

Look more like cast iron than wrought. Wrought would probably show some graining somewhere. Are the ends sawn off?

Guessing mid-late 19th century, but I'm gonna check my old catalogs.

At my house they'd stand in a shady spot and grow lichens and such. I'd feel good every time I saw them.

 

I like the way you think, Steersman.
I might even line them up and plant them someplace that needs an accent... the edges of a flower bed... something like that.

 

They would definitely become garden art at my house!

 

how long? Three bars under glass around a wooden table frame, spindles in center of a gate. Decorate window bars.

 

Make a tripod table with them !

 

We have two camps... inside/table vs. outside/garden... UNLESS - you compromise and make a table for the patio!


EDIT
Oh, hey, wait... you could drive them into the ground in a tripod pattern, then put a planter or tray on 'em... would be cute right by the patio!

 

Bar the door! Make a front door with a window-like opening and set those bars in it.

 

I would hang a swing from them. I have a place under my deck that I could line up all three. Something like this maybe.

 

Or maybe a combination of the above table idea. Set them in a frame like a grill then add legs and a glass top. Not exactly like this but along these lines.

 

Or maybe this is closer.

 

This very shape may still be available.
That said...maybe mount them in some old wood horizontally and place on a outside wall for some plant 'climbers' to find.

 

I'd wire brush the worst of the rust off, and then coat them somehow to prevent further deterioration. After that, it's up to you.

 

Bring then to your next holiday party and juggle them !

Endless conversation !

 

Haha, some really great suggestions! Thanks yall.
When I go outside later I'll measure them and make the SO give me a weight estimate

 

YIPES!