A few years ago, I attended a farm auction in Nebraska. As I looked to find some hidden treasures to sell online, I discovered an antique cast iron, clawfoot bathtub sitting behind an old shed.
While I was standing there looking at it, all I could do is think about my younger years in Lowell, Ma when my Uncle and Aunt had a huge old home with a clawfoot tub in their upstairs bathroom. I remember as a child thinking how wonderful it would be to have a bubble bath in their tub.
Although, it had been covered in dirt and cobwebs, the tub still had it’s original claw-feet attached. Suddenly, I got that old auction-induced fever and just had to have it. This huge tub would be quite the backyard architectural piece with some imagination and a little labor.
When the auctioneers started bidding on the old tub, I was hoping no one else had wanted it. “Yes!” I won the tub and paid only $5 for it–Problem was, how could I get it home? My husband was at work and I sure couldn’t lift it into the truck without help. Lucky, I found
some young farm boys who helped me for free.
When I got it home, my husband was not elated about having to move it into the backyard, but he did think it held some great creative yard art possibilities. We decided to make it into a goldfish pond similar to the one shown below.
Unfortunately, we moved, and had to leave it behind.
Here are some other fun clawfoot tub yard art ideas I found on the internet.
The antique clawfoot tubs are now extremely sought-after because of upcycling ideas. They can sell online for over $300 (refurbished price-over $1,000).
Its best to search for one at auctions. Or, if you know of anyone with an early 1900’s home, that might be remodeling their bathroom- and they have to decided get rid of their old clawfoot tub-ask if you can remove the tub for them.
Its worth the work to own such a unique piece of the past!
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