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About the bathtubs

The “Empire” bath. A deep, double ended tub, each end being the same height, with a curved top end to rest your head.  You sit in a reclined position in it and your legs will be flat along the bottom (for someone under 5’10).  The water will come above your shoulders. Made between 1870 -1900 by Rogeat (Lyon) and Niederbronn (Alsace), this was one of the first mass-produced cast-iron bathtubs and its deep design made it ideal for hydrotherapy (Neiderbronn being a spa town). Rogeat baths will have branding at one end, Niederbronn on the sides.  The original salt glass vitreous enamel interior was fabricated with cutting edge technology for its time.  The bath sits flat on the floor or on feet.  Usually with a central waste and without an overflow. Approximate weight 120-150KG.  Approximate length 150-170 cm.

Double ended and single ended roll edge ‘bateau’ bath on a plinth.

These bathtubs were a slight advancement on the empire bath with a more sophisticated manufacturing process with the large or thin roll edge and integrated cast iron plinth.  Made between 1880-1910.  Generally in 2 lengths – a shorter one ranging from 150-155 cm and a longer one around 160-170 cms.  These baths don’t tend to have a maker’s name on them.

Freestanding roll edge baths on feet.

1890-1950.  A wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles, both single and double ended.  The feet range from shell shapes to ball and claw or large lion feet.  Some baths have the feet in the corners and some on the sides.

Copper baths

These tended to be made slightly earlier 1850-1870, some even earlier than that but were quite small, and are becoming rarer to find.  Single or double ended.  The single ended ones tended to taper in from the shoulders to the feet.

Porcelain/Fireclay bath

Content to be finalised

Marble Bath

Content to be finalised

Restoration process

We like to keep our bathtubs as authentic as possible and will retain the external patina with its original paintuntil a customer decides they would prefer a different finish.  Interior enamel resurfacing is outsourced to specialise providers.  Please contact us to discuss exterior and interior finishing options.

Copper baths will be given a light non-abrasive interior bead blast to remove dirt and give the bath a smooth finish ready for use.  Copper baths can also be polished if required.