What is this?

When I was typing the title I thought of that old Saturday night live skit with Steve Martin and Dan Ackroyd - What the hell is that? Anyone remember it? It's a classic, right up there with Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, pepsi!

This piece is sitting in the front of a house, on the sidewalk (obviously). What is it? Where did it come from? Is it as old as it looks?

I think it's cool! I must try to ask someone!