We normally have several examples of rare and unusual Victorian or Arts and Crafts era tubs available for sale. Our specialty is the Roman Style (center-fill) bathtub on legs or pedestal. These typically oversize, symmetrical tubs were often found in upscale homes and mansions. They are very hard to find today. Once in awhile we find a solid porcelain tub to offer. If you do not see what you are looking for in our virtual warehouse, please email and ask if we have it. We just might have something not quite ready for display, or we may know someplace to look to find exactly what you want.
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LAST UPDATED: January 20, 2012
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| Better photos coming soon. Project that needs completion. 6' roman tub on legs, with full hardware, & matching foot tub. Both have old reporcelainized refinish job, foot tub stripped off. Not bad original enamel. Outsides of both have layers of paint stripped off and need new paint. Hardware complete and as found. L. Wolff Co. ca.1905. |
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| Very rare Wolff Venetian Roman Center Drain claw leg bathtub in 72" long size. Complete fancy Wolff hardware. One handle has chipped arm. Foot tub has matching legs and hardware. Old Reporcelain finish is scratched and chipped on tub, and mostly stripped off of Foot Tub. Can easily be recoated. I do not have time to do it. Price for both - Blowout PRICE CUT to $3000. both pieces |
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In the late 1870s and early 1880s, American sanitary ceramic ware manufacturers figured out how to cast and fire heavy solid earthenware bathroom fixtures such as bathtubs and sinks, and have them hold their shape in the process. As a result, the top companies in America began to offer solid porcelain bathtubs in the 1880s. These tubs were made of a tan fireclay or earthenware material and coated in glossy white glaze with walls and bottom 3-4" thick. There is no metal in these tubs to give them their shape. These fixtures never suffer from rusty and chipped drain holes, and the finish is pure glass. You cannot scour the shine away with Ajax or Comet. These tubs shine like the finish is 2" deep. Big, heavy and hard to handle, they would be lifted by cranes into the upper floor master bathrooms of the finest homes being built in America during the last 20 years of the 19th century and the first 20 years of the 20th. These tubs came in Right corner, Left corner, and back wall mounted styles, as well as freestanding Roman and French styles that sat on an integral base or stubby pedestal legs. There were foot tubs and sitz tubs to match. Today, any of these tubs are very hard to find. The foot tubs and sitz tubs were very rare in the first place. But the big tubs are all gone because so many of them have been destroyed. They are hard as heck to salvage because they are ungodly heavy and so darned hard to handle. Most contractors just smash them up and haul them out in wheelbarrows rather than go to the trouble to carefully remove them from upstairs bathrooms during remodels. Then, if you do find the tub, the drain and valve hardware is almost always gone because it was easy to cut off and haul to the metal scrap yard. There is about 40 lbs of brass in the set of hardware on our Peck Bros. corner tub shown below. And the same on our L. Wolff Weelan's pattern tub. Our specialty is the rare and hard to find, so naturally we are always on the hunt for solid porcelain tubs. We have sold these in the past to people who must have the rarest original antique bath fixtures that money can buy. We have never had the opportunity to actually take a dip in one of these tubs, but have been told that to do so is sublime. It is a completely different experience from bathing in a cast iron tub. **Sorry, but we have no solid porcelain tubs available at this time**
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BATHTUBS THAT HAVE BEEN SOLD
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| Very hard to find a Roman pattern tub in 60" size, but here is one. ca1902 Wolff Mfg Co. Chicago with all original hardware, and excellent original porcelain enamel finish. Does not need refinishing inside. |
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| This tub has been stripped to bare iron outside, so is ready for prime and paint. 4 original small lion paw legs. Faucets have ebony inserts in cross handles. Small nicky chips and worn bottom, but no serious finish issues. *SOLD* |
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| We hardly ever find these tubs and when we do they are in horrible condition. This is an exception. It is in fine condition. Very clean and white all over. Only flaw is light wear and pitting on the bottom. **SOLD** |
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Beautiful Standard Mfg Co. Albion Roman style pedestal bathtub, in the smallest size Standard offered. Tub is 63.5" x 36" overall. Original hardware, and porcelain enamel finish. **SOLD**
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Very rare Roman Style bathtub that you never see. Standard Sanitary Mfg Co (Successor to Dawes & Myler Mfg Co) Brighton Roman tub, in the smallest size. 61" x 36" x 25" tall. 17" deep. 6" wide rolled rim. Massive in appearance. Full hardware. SOLD
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