Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary (1840, 2nd edition) explains how a bronze bucket was found in a turbary (tributary) of the Afon Arthog near Ty’n Coed Farm in 1826.  It is not known whether it contained anything, or whether other artefacts were found nearby and the significance of this remarkable and rare artefact was not recognised at the time of its discovery. 

So how did the bucket found at Arthog end up at Nannau?  General John Vaughan, C.B. of Nannau recalled that, in about 1880, his sisters were directed by the family coachman to dig something interesting up from a location behind the Howel Sele Lodge in the Nannau Park. Much to the little girls' surprise they uncovered a splendid bronze bucket!  It was made of three riveted bronze sheets, 19.4 inches (59 cm.) high, 8.65 inches (26 cm.) wide at the base and 14.75 inches (45 cm.) wide at the brim.  

W.J.Hemp, in the 'Journal of the Merionethshire Historical Society' (1960), pp.353-39, argues that the bucket found in 1880/81 in the grounds at Nannau was the same bucket as was found in 1826 adjacent to the Afon Arthog river, but subsequently lost.  As Arthog is only approximately seven miles from Nannau Park, Hemp argued that it would be unlikely that two buckets of such rarity would be in the same area, therefore the two buckets were identical.  Hemp’s full story is published in this pamphlet - where he describes how the bucket was used for many years at Nannau as a “wastepaper receptacle”.   

It is now thought that the bucket was acquired by the coachman (who originated from Arthog) and deliberately buried at Nannau for the girls to find.  He was said to be devoted to them.