Antique towel rail with sponge baskets from Grands Magasins du Louvre, Paris
A rare find from the Belle Époque: an antique towel rail with double sponge basket, made around 1910 for the Grands Magasins du Louvre in Paris. Founded in 1855 by the Pereire brothers inside the Hôtel du Louvre, this legendary store stood alongside Le Bon Marché as one of the very first grand Parisian department stores, famed for its lavish sanitary and homeware departments. When it closed its doors in 1974, a piece of Parisian retail history vanished with it — items originating from the store are sought-after collector's pieces today.
The rack is crafted in nickel-plated brass and carries all the refinement of an age in which even everyday bathroom fittings were designed with care. Two gracefully pierced wall plates with keyhole motifs each support a tall wire basket for sponge or soap, with a double rail for towels strung between them. The nickel is lightly patinated but entirely intact, and the pairing of towel bar and twin sponge baskets is unusual — these elements were generally sold separately. Ready to return to service in a classical bathroom.
Features:
- Double towel rail with twin wire baskets for sponges or soaps
- Elegantly pierced wall plates with keyhole motif
- Originally supplied by Grands Magasins du Louvre, Paris (1855–1974)
- Wall-mounted via two fixing plates
- Age: made around 1910, pre-WWI
- Material: nickel-plated brass
- Condition: good condition, nickel lightly patinated but fully intact
Dimensions:
- Width: …… cm
- Height: …… cm
- Depth (projection from wall): …… cm
- Sponge basket diameter: …… cm
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