What are these and what should I do with them?

Question

I found these in an antique shop and after a couple visits, I could no longer resist buying them!  They are very heavy and are covered in rust and old paint chipping off.  I have no clue what they are!  What should I d with them?  I kinda like their rustic look...yet not sure I want to leave them like this!  Any suggestions?

Cindy Darsey Chadwell · Answer

gates or window shutter maybe! I would leave alone, they are fabulous!!! Great find!!

Johnavallance82 · Answer

To make them look better but not get rid of the rusty look. Rub over with WD-40

Could have been inserts (Windows) in a Gazebo or Arch for the Garden.

Barb · Answer

Nice find!! Use wire brush leave as vintage or paint them black add them to dinning wall for that Tuscany look, twin bed headboard end of a hallway as a focal wall hanging. Even outside attaching them to the house in a flower bed with calmatis.

with calmatis,

SandyG · Answer

Trellis for plants, if you stack them.

Pandalana Williams · Answer

Definitely looks like a gate :)

Kate Garrett · Answer

My money is on a 2 piece garden gate.

If you want to give them a good cleaning, use a power washer with tap water & Dawn/Fairy original blue dish detergent. Dry thoroughly!

Reguardless, I would give it 2 coats of Rustolium 2× Matte Clear. 3 coats if the rust has particularly deep pockets.

The clear coat seals the patina & helps to protect any passers-by that are sloppy about getting tetanus boosters. You will want to reapply as needed: outdoor use means once or twice/year, indoor is less often.

They are wonderful for folly gates (the ones across a path without a fence), garden trellises, turn then into decorative tables by adding legs & capping with an acrylic sheet.

Indoors, you might want to wall mount amid a photo gallery. Or attach on hinges to an open door frame. If they are tall enough, hinge them together for a folding screen, with or without paper/fabric attached to the 'back'

The possibilities are almost endless for these things. Try thinking about projects you've been wanting to try & ask yourself if these gates can be worked into any if them.

Dana Bolinger Moore · Answer

I wonder if they are radiator covers?

Susan K Mullins · Answer

Love them! I would not paint them right away. You can seal them with a clear spray. Hang them on a wall for a charming look. If you want, you could wrap ivyaround them. What a great find!

Lena · Answer

if they where sanded down and added a little color they would be cute candle holders or photo frame hanger

Karen · Answer

I would probably attach them to my back fence.

Emily · Answer

whatever they were originally intended for they are all yours now. They are very attractive and I would probably turn them into gates for use inside or outside. I don't think it matters much if you refinish them or not. But here is a hint: years ago when I lived in NYC, painters used to wear gloves to paint the iron fencing. I mean the gloves WERE the brush/roller.

Kristina Cullen · Answer

Think gates from Newport R.I. mansions! Could be artful just leaned against a house.

Sunny C · Answer

Hello Karen; Excellent eye!!!

These look quite old, and they look like they originally covered something.

Aside from that, I Love them.

If they were mine, I would use a wire brush on them, and I would keep the patina the way that it is.

I would clear coat them, so that they do not rust.

I would keep them inside and hang them on a wall.

I hope that this helps you!!! Take Care!

Ptrish · Answer

love them outside in garden would be wonderful... if inside what an interesting wall hanging

Barb · Answer

Thank you and you have two gems that nwork with, I just love them!!

Beck · Answer

Frame them out. Use as doors!!

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