There is a smallish window at the top of the stairs to my basement that doesn’t have a shutter but has a decorative iron grill. Externally it is about 3m off the ground, I suppose.
I opened it today to clean around the ope reveals, cill and lintel in preparation for painting. Attached to the inside of the grill, by means of two screw clamps, was this object. It has an aluminium frame with a perspex ‘window’. On the left of it you will see that it has a square enclosure down the left hand side with an electrical cable sticking out from each end. It measures 65cm x 42cm approx. and the window ope is about 75cm x 75cm.
Does anyone know what it is? What it’s for? Why the electric cables?
Between this object and the window itself was a bar with screw-out clamps at each end which spanned across the ope between the reveals. From it are hanging two (home-made) wire hooks. I found a couple of these hooks elsewhere on the property where they appear to have been put up by the previous owner to hang nets of bird feed from them. I assume these were for the same purpose.
I’m not sure if the two items are ‘related’, but it seems strange to position two bird feeders behind this screen that obstructed access for birds?
Any ideas?
@Mike313 I wonder if the use of electrical wire is a red herring, at least insofar as for supplying current, since the former occupant seems to have used it elsewhere?
Beyond that, I have no idea, but I always find topics like this interesting.
Dare I say I asked ChatGPT.
From the description and what’s visible in the photo, this appears to be a back-lit display panel / light box, most likely designed to illuminate a notice, sign, or poster from behind.
What it is
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An aluminium frame
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A perspex (acrylic) front panel
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A long rectangular enclosure running down one side
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Electrical cables exiting at both ends of that enclosure
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Previously clamped to the inside of a window grill
That side enclosure almost certainly housed:
The perspex panel would act as a diffuser, spreading the light evenly across the display area.
What it was used for
Most likely purposes:
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Illuminated shop sign in a window
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Backlit advertising panel
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Menu or notice board
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Possibly a “for sale / for rent” illuminated display
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Small commercial information light box
Because it was clamped inside a window grill, it was probably intended to:
The size (65 × 42 cm) is typical of small commercial light boxes.
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The second item looks like a curtain rod of some description.
Hi @Gareth2022 & @Porridge
Thanks for your thoughts.
The AI response is interesting, but as the window in question is at the rear of the house with just fields behind, I don’t think it would have been for a sign or poster etc.
The rail is indeed like a curtain rail or shortened shower curtain rail but adapted to take the two bird feeder hooks.
I guess I’ll put the ‘panel’ in the back of the garage where it will remain a mystery . . 
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