What Were Those Things??

[delboy3]

Visiting Ireland several times in the 1970s & 80s, I regularly saw these strange wooden blocks (usually painted white) sitting on peoples' front lawns.

Exactly what their purpose was (apart from decorative?), I never did find out.

I've tried searching Google Images to no avail. They were simple blocks of wood with four legs sticking out at various angles.

Can anyone shed some light? Not that I want to buy any (having no garden puts pay to that) - just curious.

[Chipchopper]

Possibly 'pig benches' originally used butchering pigs and other domestic stock.

[delboy3]

Thanks Chipchopper but these were very small (maybe a guinea pig bench? :-)) and I'm guessing purely decorative.

[ukbod2015]

Tables for Leprechauns?

[scorpiojo]

Lol

[delboy3]

Not tables, not even for the Little People! Rectangular blocks with a few short "legs" sticking out at angles. If I could find a damn picture I'd gladly post it.

[Davemano]

Probably an Irishman's Rubik Cube fallen to pieces.

[vulcan42]

Over the years I have visited many gardens, both private and public, in Ireland and must admit I've never seen these. The only thing I can suggest is they are 3D versions of St Brigid's cross.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1SdiQNcBdC8/Uu0WHj2DFYI/AAAAAAAAAwk/MIzp5EbxqK8/s1600/20140201_125543.jpg

[Prudie]

I've asked a colleague with family in Ireland and he immediately responded with 'wellington boot racks'. I'm not so sure though, I've google imaged those and there are lots but yours sound too small and you've said the legs are at random angles?

[murraymints]

for hanging fat balls ?

[mccfluff]

anything like this?

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/selections/product/cream-wooden-boot-and-shoe-rack

[delboy3]

Thanks for all suggestions, but these seemed to serve no practical purpose whatsoever. Not St Brigid's Cross, not boot racks, not leprechaun picnic tables.

It's doing me head in now.

[Psybbo]

Sounds like a milking stool

[delboy3]

They were not stools! You could not sit on them (well, not comfortably anyway).

They served no practical purpose whatsoever. They were just decorative.

I seriously wish I could find a bloomin' picture of one on the internet, but I don't know what they were called.

[ummmm]

I've never seen one.

[Psybbo]

Nor have I anywhere in Ireland

[gness]

Well you're going to have to find a picture and post it Del or I won't die happy.....
I have no idea, for all my years in Ireland....not that we had lawns....well except for Mrs Brody but she was posh......♣

[tonyav]

Were they milking stools turned upside down.

[Psybbo]

Tony, that's what I thought

[-Talbot-]

They are probably there just to baffle foreigners

[Hopkirk]

Perhaps they were for the milkman to put the bottles on.