Cast-iron reservoir plates for a fountain or urn drainage system. The three wedge-shaped plates form a complete circle with a whole in the middle when placed together. The pattern name, “Floral” and the makers mark are stamped into one of the plates.
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Cast-iron urns were typically made in sections, which included a removable reservoir plate, earth and water bowl (in one or two pieces), brass faucet for drainage, neck, and foot or the bowl, neck, and pedestal; or it might be all cast in one piece. Additional attachments such as handles, plinths, pedestals and bases were available, and many companies also included a name plate furnished for each vase purchased. Pieces were also interchangeable which allowed for replacement parts or design variations. Customers had the ability to select from a broad range of different finishes, components, and design motifs. Designs for urns followed the Victorian taste for eclectic styles and borrowed Classical, Rustic, Gothic, Rococo, Renaissance, and Oriental motifs and forms. The vast variety of decorative motifs and forms for elaborate handles, fully decorated bowls, fanciful balusters, and coordinating pedestals allowed for extraordinary combinations for urns in nineteenth century.
