Homeowner's Beautiful 1890s Victorian Bird Bath Is A Rare Find

Some homeowners hit the jackpot when they get their house. Whether it's original hardwood under carpeting or forgotten antique furniture that collectors love in the attic, there are many surprises that old homes might have in store. One such lucky homeowner, for example, found a beautiful, rare 1890s Victorian bird bath in their yard. 

The homeowner goes by @amy_easley on TikTok and shared a video showcasing the Victorian bird bath's restoration. It's a beautiful stone piece with a scalloped receptacle at the top for the water and an intricate base with babies carved into it. The bird bath's date of origin isn't mentioned. However, the homeowners have dedicated their TikTok page to their process of restoring a 1890s brick Victorian home in Missouri, so the bath could also be from around that time. What makes this piece Victorian is its heavy and imposing shape, as well as the ornate detailing — which was also found in cast iron bird baths at the time. You can even find modern bird baths inspired by these classic Victorian styles.

But using such an old piece of yard decor requires some work. The homeowners on TikTok power-washed it, cleaning off any debris and buildup. Despite it being made of heavy stone, they moved it aside so they could flatten and even out the soil underneath, giving it a more stable base before filling it with water. According to the video, the hard work was worth it, since birds started to flock to it right away.

While finding original Victorian bird baths is best suited to professional antique hunters and collectors, there are tons of modern alternatives designed to look just like this one. A simple online search for "Victorian stone birdbath" surfaces companies that specialize in this type of outdoor art. Some of the more affordable options cost close to $200, but many of them are priced around $1,000. Some options will even let you choose the stone finish and color, especially if they're made-to-order.

If those are out of your budget, try looking through estate sales, antique shops, or eBay. Those who are patient and open to buying something that's not authentically Victorian era but looks like it can find a unique and affordable product. If you don't have any luck, but manage to find a large ornate concrete planter, you could convert it into a bird bath by sealing the drainage holes at the bottom. 

As for placement, there are tons of options. For a whimsical, fairytale look, situate the bird bath in the garden, directly onto a patch of soil where you can plant flowers. An alternative is to place the birdbath on solid ground in your patio or path. Add some potted plants around its base, or leave it bare for a more traditional and clean look. 

You have to remember, these baths aren't just ornamental; they can attract a diverse variety of birds to your backyard. So while unique bird bath designs add instant visual delight to any home's yard, they come with some sanitary requirements since wildlife use the water to cool down, clean themselves, remove parasites, and drink . 

Clean these baths at least once a week to avoid a sanitary hazard for birds. When cleaning concrete or stone bird baths like these ones, use a mixture of one part vinegar and nine parts water. Empty the stagnant water, fill the receptacle with your vinegar mixture, and scrub with a hard-bristle brush. Then, empty the mixture and refill with clear water. This will prevent algae and bacteria from growing in the water, but it will also prevent the bath from turning into a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

As seen in the video, moving a Victorian bird bath's bowl isn't a quick and easy job because of how heavy the stone is. If you feel like this is too much work, consider other ways to use the bird bath. For example, fill the receptacle with potted plants and flowers, add a few LED string lights, and turn it into a beautiful glowing planter.