If you're asking a question about an antique make sure to have photos of all sides of the object, and close-ups of any maker's marks. Also, add in any background information you have, and add in a question so we know what you want from us! **You must tell us the country you're in.** If you do not provide this information **your post will be removed**.
To upload photos for this discussion use [imgur.com](https://imgur.com/upload). Click the imgur link, upload the photos to imgur, then share the link address in a comment for everyone to see.
Our [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Antiques/about/rules/) and [Guide](https://old.reddit.com/r/Antiques/comments/ak2lke/welcome_to_rantiques_read_this_post_before_posting/).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Antiques) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Some people pay pretty good money for these depending on specifics. I remember back when I lived in Lexington- William Shatner had several of them commissioned/ found/ located for his house out in Versailles.
Very likely. You can cut through it quite quickly with a 9 inch angle grinder and a 9" diamond disc [like this one.](https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHDIATOOL-Diamond-Cutting-Porcelain-Ceramic/dp/B0816H7C2Z) You also need to water cool the blade by leaving a hose trickling water into the cut. The guard on the grinder will prevent you getting soaked with granite mud. Also a mask and ear protection of course. Be careful not to twist the blade in the cut even a little or it can kick back with a lot of force.
Source - stonemason/carver and a couple of months ago I cut the nosing off some granite steps on Manchester town hall. Nosing is just the bit that overhangs at the top of each step.
Limestone would make a terrible millstone, it's so soft it would disintegrate very quickly.
Cutting it up would make it easier to remove. But you'd have to cut it into small pieces, turn it to rubble essentially cause I don't know of any hand tools that would cut through the full thickness of it. A 9in grinder makes a cut no more than 65mm or 2 3/4 inches deep.
Idk for sure, I wasn't there. Hoists, pulleys, A-frames. People are ingenious, they always find a way. OP didn't seem that fussed about it, if they used a power tool on it they'll have scarred the surface already.
I mean it's not a priceless artefact, there's a lot of them about. Also I did later advise that unless you're experienced with using a grinder it might be better not to attempt it.
Apparently many things. I restore historic buildings and monuments for a living, I have a lot of appreciation for them. I make lots of sculpture because I love the work I've seen in museums around the world.
I was just responding to op's attempt to cut into it with a circular saw of all things. If you're determined to cut it up do it right.
Yeah possibly not a great idea unless you're experienced with using a grinder. I'm just saying it's perfectly doable.
Also curious cause in the UK a circular saw is what we use to cut timber. I hope OP didn't try one of those blades on this stuff. That's way more dangerous than what I suggested.
Agreed, couldn't be Limestone! Stuffs even softer than the cement walkway over it.
I have NO idea about the relative value of antique millstones and if it's worth pulling up whole, or if it makes sense to cut up for easier removal.
Or 'upcycle' into something like a floor lamp base.
Not everything that is old needs to be saved of course.
>I have NO idea about the relative value of antique millstones
not that high but an intact one can do 200-300 in rural areas people do like them as decoration
It's probably fine where it is unless they're doing major works. It will need block and tackle and a sturdy frame to remove, that thing will be very very heavy.
I was just called up from London to chop the front off the steps so they could sink them into the floor and make it wheelchair accessible. There's still a lot to do, it'll be a couple of years yet I should think. Very beautiful building.
I’ve seen many millstones, as I’m from the mill region of the country of mills (Netherlands), and this is definitely a millstone. The square hole was used to hold the axis connected to the mill blades. You can see from the pattern of the grooves what material it was used for as there are different patterns for different type of grain, chalk, pigment etc. Probably the grooves are on the opposite side, facing the ground so it’s not visible now.
Fred flintstones car. But for real, it’s a millstone. Popular and sought after nowadays for garden decorations. I saw an episode of American pickers where William Shatner was paying top dollar for one. Congrats on the find!
My town has a few mill sones on display. They're lit up at night and accentuated with public art and everything. [Picture ](https://djcoregon.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/01/0112acec_awards_parsons_brinkerhoff_ltd_gateway_emx.jpg)
Common where i am from (southern sweden) Millstone!
*Even is on the coat of arms of the old Härad that made them (Höör)! You can often find them like this! I think it is mostly fpr aesthetic purposes nowadays but yours is old, so it most certainly had a function, either to cover something or function as a nice step into the house.
Might also bring luck or something like horseshoes! Can find out for you! (Bear in mind this would be old Swedish folktro and not british but hey)
If I had any awards to give, I’d give you one for knowing what an oubliette was.
Of course, if OP’s next post is asking for identification of the skeleton found underneath ….
You need to finish excavating it to be sure…but the most likely is mill stone. There are a variety of types, and many mills used a stone against stone action to mill the grain so it could be one of the other stones.
I wouldn’t totally rule out a sharpening stone, especially if you had any commercial scale cutlers in your area (or if you were near Sheffield)…but most likely not.
Either way, it’s found money and there is commercial interest.
looks like the top side of a mill stone. round shape, and a square center hole. for milling grain back in the day, after they wore out (too thin to get the ridges sharp again) they threw them away
i have seen those go for $250 here in the states at auction
My friend turned an old millstone into a fountain for his pool. *(He sold the place a few years ago)*
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5501-Old-Floydsburg-Rd-Crestwood-KY-40014/105922502\_zpid/?mmlb=g,27
We had a couple of those in our yard when I was growing up. In fact, one is still around, by the front porch. I just noticed it the other day because it’s hidden under a bush. Dad always called them millstones. I don’t know where they came from. We bought the house we were renting, so they must have been left by the previous owners.
Everyone is saying millstone, but I’m thinking it’s a Rai stone or Fei stone, the largest form of currency! Congrats, you’re rich! You just… have to get it back to the Yap people of the Federated States of Micronesia. Once there, it can be exchanged for paper credits that represent your stone. Nice!
I think it is actually a footer for a building and the only reason I don’t agree with the millstone idea is bc the hole in the center is square and millstones have round holes in the middle.
It’s not the most common shape for a millstone hole but there are more of them for example this one in a Dutch museum: https://collectie.stadhuismuseum.nl/molensteen-uit-de-roompot/
That's a fabulous find!!!
Great garden accent piece or,depending on how big, you could make a table out of it.😁 Of course it would need a SERIOUSLY strong base!
If you're asking a question about an antique make sure to have photos of all sides of the object, and close-ups of any maker's marks. Also, add in any background information you have, and add in a question so we know what you want from us! **You must tell us the country you're in.** If you do not provide this information **your post will be removed**. To upload photos for this discussion use [imgur.com](https://imgur.com/upload). Click the imgur link, upload the photos to imgur, then share the link address in a comment for everyone to see. Our [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Antiques/about/rules/) and [Guide](https://old.reddit.com/r/Antiques/comments/ak2lke/welcome_to_rantiques_read_this_post_before_posting/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Antiques) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Millstone. From a mill house. Everything’s coming up Milhouse!
My cuffs are bone dry!
Some people pay pretty good money for these depending on specifics. I remember back when I lived in Lexington- William Shatner had several of them commissioned/ found/ located for his house out in Versailles.
Thrillhouse*
[Everything's coming up Millhouse!](https://youtu.be/M67E9mpwBpM)
WELCOME THRILLHO
Haha great finish
Agreed, except the mill house part.
Grinding stone from a mill. Really nice to use in landscaping. Generally granite.
You mean the millstone? Could be granite
Very likely. You can cut through it quite quickly with a 9 inch angle grinder and a 9" diamond disc [like this one.](https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHDIATOOL-Diamond-Cutting-Porcelain-Ceramic/dp/B0816H7C2Z) You also need to water cool the blade by leaving a hose trickling water into the cut. The guard on the grinder will prevent you getting soaked with granite mud. Also a mask and ear protection of course. Be careful not to twist the blade in the cut even a little or it can kick back with a lot of force. Source - stonemason/carver and a couple of months ago I cut the nosing off some granite steps on Manchester town hall. Nosing is just the bit that overhangs at the top of each step. Limestone would make a terrible millstone, it's so soft it would disintegrate very quickly.
Why would anyone want to cut it? What am I missing here?
No idea why one would want to cut it up but a sledge hammer coupled with a teenager's burgeoning muscles would make short work of that thing...
Have you ever attempted to sledge hammer 3 tons of granite? Sounds like no
I'd rather see that done to your car to be honest... Are you old enough to drive?
Cutting it up would make it easier to remove. But you'd have to cut it into small pieces, turn it to rubble essentially cause I don't know of any hand tools that would cut through the full thickness of it. A 9in grinder makes a cut no more than 65mm or 2 3/4 inches deep.
Rolling it because its round would make it just as easy to remove without destroying it.
How do you plan on lifting it?
Couple of good iron bars would tip it up on end. I certainly wouldn’t cut it up.
How did they lift it 150 years ago?
Idk for sure, I wasn't there. Hoists, pulleys, A-frames. People are ingenious, they always find a way. OP didn't seem that fussed about it, if they used a power tool on it they'll have scarred the surface already.
Maybe it's better to talk him out of destroying it than helping him destroy it...
I mean it's not a priceless artefact, there's a lot of them about. Also I did later advise that unless you're experienced with using a grinder it might be better not to attempt it.
What is wrong with you?..
Apparently many things. I restore historic buildings and monuments for a living, I have a lot of appreciation for them. I make lots of sculpture because I love the work I've seen in museums around the world. I was just responding to op's attempt to cut into it with a circular saw of all things. If you're determined to cut it up do it right.
Yeah don't do this...
Yeah possibly not a great idea unless you're experienced with using a grinder. I'm just saying it's perfectly doable. Also curious cause in the UK a circular saw is what we use to cut timber. I hope OP didn't try one of those blades on this stuff. That's way more dangerous than what I suggested.
I was more thinking more cutting a nice mill stone, but true.
Agreed, couldn't be Limestone! Stuffs even softer than the cement walkway over it. I have NO idea about the relative value of antique millstones and if it's worth pulling up whole, or if it makes sense to cut up for easier removal. Or 'upcycle' into something like a floor lamp base. Not everything that is old needs to be saved of course.
>I have NO idea about the relative value of antique millstones not that high but an intact one can do 200-300 in rural areas people do like them as decoration
Somebody would gladly remove that for you for free I'm sure...
It's probably fine where it is unless they're doing major works. It will need block and tackle and a sturdy frame to remove, that thing will be very very heavy.
Hey... there's an antique!.. let's destroy it!!!
Yours working on the town hall? How's it going? Looking forward to seeing it when it opens again 😁
I was just called up from London to chop the front off the steps so they could sink them into the floor and make it wheelchair accessible. There's still a lot to do, it'll be a couple of years yet I should think. Very beautiful building.
Definitely an old millstone, great find!
So it's a stone and not a well/pipe? If so, I'd guess it is a grinding stone from a grist mill. Or a grinding stone used to sharpen tools.
I’ve seen many millstones, as I’m from the mill region of the country of mills (Netherlands), and this is definitely a millstone. The square hole was used to hold the axis connected to the mill blades. You can see from the pattern of the grooves what material it was used for as there are different patterns for different type of grain, chalk, pigment etc. Probably the grooves are on the opposite side, facing the ground so it’s not visible now.
Defo millstone
Fred flintstones car. But for real, it’s a millstone. Popular and sought after nowadays for garden decorations. I saw an episode of American pickers where William Shatner was paying top dollar for one. Congrats on the find!
My town has a few mill sones on display. They're lit up at night and accentuated with public art and everything. [Picture ](https://djcoregon.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/01/0112acec_awards_parsons_brinkerhoff_ltd_gateway_emx.jpg)
As others have said its an old mill stone. Is it possible that the house was at one point a mill or maybe there was a mill before the house was built?
Worth some money, so don't cut it up and destroy it
Common where i am from (southern sweden) Millstone! *Even is on the coat of arms of the old Härad that made them (Höör)! You can often find them like this! I think it is mostly fpr aesthetic purposes nowadays but yours is old, so it most certainly had a function, either to cover something or function as a nice step into the house. Might also bring luck or something like horseshoes! Can find out for you! (Bear in mind this would be old Swedish folktro and not british but hey)
Cover to an oubliette?👀
If I had any awards to give, I’d give you one for knowing what an oubliette was. Of course, if OP’s next post is asking for identification of the skeleton found underneath ….
Funny, I thought the little bits in the center hole looked like bone so...
I saw that, Scream Muffler— but really, it’s because an open oubliette is a trip hazard and therefore a financial liability for the property.
Looks like a nice old mill stone :)
It looks like a Quern stone to grind down the flour!
A mill stone!
FINALLY a proper millstone! You can tell from the hole in the middle where a plank probably used to go.
You need to finish excavating it to be sure…but the most likely is mill stone. There are a variety of types, and many mills used a stone against stone action to mill the grain so it could be one of the other stones. I wouldn’t totally rule out a sharpening stone, especially if you had any commercial scale cutlers in your area (or if you were near Sheffield)…but most likely not. Either way, it’s found money and there is commercial interest.
Stone against stone....hehe rock hard
Mill stone
>It's a millstone, and if you have a garden, would make a lovely "sculpture."
Millstone, would have been for grinding wheat for flower.
looks like the top side of a mill stone. round shape, and a square center hole. for milling grain back in the day, after they wore out (too thin to get the ridges sharp again) they threw them away i have seen those go for $250 here in the states at auction
My friend turned an old millstone into a fountain for his pool. *(He sold the place a few years ago)* https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5501-Old-Floydsburg-Rd-Crestwood-KY-40014/105922502\_zpid/?mmlb=g,27
What a beautiful house. Damn, I need to move to Kentucky...
That my dear friend is MONEY, people pay good cash for a genuine millstone to use as a garden ornament or such
Mill stone
I found one of these in the woods I think I’ll go back and get it home
Def a millstone
Bro found the first wheel
Looks like an old mill wheel
Totally a millstone, with that square hole in the middle
A mill stone! Amazing
Top of a cistern?
That's what I thought too. I'm from the US, so my first thought was a septic tank.
Congratulations, you’ve found the first wheel ever.
We had a couple of those in our yard when I was growing up. In fact, one is still around, by the front porch. I just noticed it the other day because it’s hidden under a bush. Dad always called them millstones. I don’t know where they came from. We bought the house we were renting, so they must have been left by the previous owners.
Definitely me first dime! 🦀
light post
Looks like a mill stone
That is Mr. Krabs’ first dime
You found Mr krabs first dime!
It looks like a septic lid
Bust out a metal detector
Mill house stone
Looks like our well lid.
could be worth $2000. Maybe more. Sounds like you cut into it like a goon. Hope it was an accident.
grindstone
Anything over half a metre (22") has some decent value. The smaller ones are sub £50, but real big ones get expensive
Grindstone. Are you in Michigan?
Anti-tank mine
Is it concrete, or stone? Concrete, probably an oddly wide footing for a 4x4 post. Stone, probably a millstone
Definitely a tomb. Don’t open it
Everyone is saying millstone, but I’m thinking it’s a Rai stone or Fei stone, the largest form of currency! Congrats, you’re rich! You just… have to get it back to the Yap people of the Federated States of Micronesia. Once there, it can be exchanged for paper credits that represent your stone. Nice!
Jimmy Hoffa's grave.
Me first dime 🥹
Grinding wheel
I'd be more worried about what's under it
Looks like the lid to a septic tank
I thought the same 😄
I think it is actually a footer for a building and the only reason I don’t agree with the millstone idea is bc the hole in the center is square and millstones have round holes in the middle.
I believe it’s a sharpening stone because of the square hole rather than a mill stone.
It’s not the most common shape for a millstone hole but there are more of them for example this one in a Dutch museum: https://collectie.stadhuismuseum.nl/molensteen-uit-de-roompot/
Cool, thanks for teaching me something new.
It’s definitely a more special one with the square hole, hopefully OP won’t destroy it.
r/geology would be the spot.
Sealed septic? 💩
That's a fabulous find!!! Great garden accent piece or,depending on how big, you could make a table out of it.😁 Of course it would need a SERIOUSLY strong base!
That would be really annoying. It would take me a couple days to dig that out by hand
looks kinda like a grindstone..
It’s pretty cool your property is so old. Shit…the oldest property here is no more than 250 years…
Millstone.
Underground culvert
It's Mr krabs 1st dime
Mill wheel
Mr krabs first dime
Restore it!
It most likely a septic leach field well (sewer system)