Victorian Baths

The Romance of Victorian Baths

There is something decidedly romantic about Victorian baths.  Their beautiful ‘clawed’ feet and sensuous lines evoke nostalgic yearnings for the delicacy and detail of a bygone era – a time when bathing was an event unto itself, not just something one did to cleanse one’s body.

Much of the appeal of Victorian baths also has to do with the fact that they work equally well in the middle of a room or next to a wall – to build one in, of course, would be a sin as those beautiful curved feet would then be hidden from view!  The first cast iron clawfoot bath with an enamel interior was produced in the United States in 1873 – with its earlier ancestor, made from hard pottery and dating back 3,000 years, being discovered in Crete.  The enamel proved very popular, both in terms of. hygiene and ease of maintenance, and the combination of the cast iron and enamel used to make the baths equated to each bath weighing somewhere between 250 and 400 pounds!  The last of these tubs were produced in the 1930’s, whereafter they made way for built in bathtubs. 

Well restored and maintained Victorian baths are not easy to come by and, as with any valuable antique, those that do exist are obviously extremely pricey.  That, combined with the fact that their massive weight makes them cumbersome to transport and install, have made them an impractical choice for the modern home decorator.  However, designers of sanitaryware have taken cognisance of the fact that Victorian baths will never lose their essential appeal, and nowadays, there are a variety of acrylic bathtubs on the market that echo the stylish curvaceousness of classic Victorian baths.

As leaders in elegantly upmarket bathroom and sanitaryware products, Summer Place is on hand to assist with the tasteful, stylish and practical fitting of your bathroom, whether you fancy the styling of Victorian baths or a more modern, clean look.  Contact us today to discuss your requirements and how we can assist.

To contact Summer Place Spas and Baths,
Please call 011-463-7775 (SA)
or email sales@summerplace.co.za