Early 20th Century Coat Racks and Stands

An incredibly elegant wall mounted hat and coat rack. French, c.1930 Of very high quality, nickel plated brass. Two top rails over single square rail with moveable hooks. A beauti...

This is a beautiful quality c.1900 bamboo hall stand in the Chinoiserie manner. The condition is very good for a piece made entirely of real bamboo. A few ...

Gustave Serrurier-Bovy wall coat rack, circa 1905, Belgium. Oak, brass. Stamped at the back: Serrurier Liège. Dimensions: 104 cm W, 64 cm H, 36 cm D. All purchases are covered by our...

Thonet Style Wall-Mounted Bentwood Coat Rack, Early to Mid-20th Century Dimensions: Height: 14 in (35.56 cm) Width: 20 in (50.8 cm) Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm) Description: Evoking the ...

Antique Italian Renaissance Figural Religious Carved Walnut Hall Tree Quilt Rack. Item features raised panel religious carving to center, relief carved sold...

Stunning design and good condition, hand crafted oakwood wall coat-rack with unique tiles. This rare and highly stylish Art Nouveau / Jugendstil coat rack is entirely original and i...

A masterful example of Swiss Black Forest craftsmanship, this c. 1900 linden wood hall tree is by the esteemed Seilar-Brawant workshop of Brienz. Towering in scale and rich in detail...

A good Arts and Crafts oak Hall stand by Shapland and Petter with a seat to the left and a mirror and glove drawer to the right, the lower section with Shaplands typical square shape...

Early 20th century carved towel rail circa 1910. Good quality towel rail made from mahogany and pine.  Decorative carved shells to the top with further carvings to the supports.  3 ...

Original massive brass coat hanger by Adolf Loos, designed in Vienna in the year 1907. This famous Elephant coat hanger was used in the apartment of Paul Khuner, 1040 Vienna. Docum...

Museum quality and condition Art Deco coat rack. This geometrical coat rack from the Dutch Art Deco era is a design by Paul Izeren and executed in the studio of 'De Genneper Molen' ...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Arts & Crafts Shapland & Petter Hall stand with hand hammered Copper panels over a Walnut frame with inset sheild mirror Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price A very good looking well made and decorative hat glove coat and scarf rack, this one is rare as it has the central mirror and its an earlier than usual example circa 1900 Made by Shapland & Petter, a full blub on their life and works can be found below In terms of the condition it is straight and solid, the piece sits well in any setting and looks decorative and very English country house, we have cleaned waxed and polished the timber, there is one hook slightly bent, otherwise its in fine order Dimensions Height:- 205cm Width:- 113cm Depth:- 40cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask Shapland and Petter of Barnstaple Introduction This Barnstaple based company manufactured some of the finest pieces of furniture in Arts and Crafts style but very little has been written about the company or the pieces they produced. It a great shame that whilst Shapland and Petter pieces have been illustrated in books and auction catalogues they are invariably attributed to other makers such as Liberty and Co in London or Wylie and Lochhead in Glasgow. With this feature, we intend to inspire a more thorough appreciation of the work of the company; readers are invited to help with the task by sending photographs and information. Collectors and auction houses are now showing significantly more interest in Shapland and Petter pieces. The company, based in Barnstaple, England produced a very wide range of furniture in several different styles including many pieces in period reproduction and municipal style for town halls and commercial premises alongside their superb Arts and Crafts range Distinctive features of their superb Arts and Crafts style are the use of heart shaped piercing, geometric shapes with angled arches and the application of repousse copper panels. Decoration with marquetry, metal inlay, mounting of ceramic and enamel cabochons were techniques which they mastered with a combination of state of the art technology and traditional craftsmanship. Most distinctively, the pieces were extremely well made, with care and very best quality materials The growing interest in Shapland and Petter has raised many questions about the origins of the firm, and the sources of influence on their designs, some of which resemble designs by Ashbee, Ballie Scott, Voysey and Talwin Morris. Links have been assumed with Liberty and Co with the supposition Shapland and Petter worked on commissions for Liberty. There appears to be little evidence to support many of the assumptions which have developed around the company and this article is intended to help to start the discussion and to stimulate research The History of Shapland and Petter The Museum of North Devon in Barnstaple have an archive of Shapland and Petter which includes some company records and a small display of furniture and related items. The following text gives history of the company and is reproduced from the display boards in the museum with kind permission of North Devon Museums For over 100 years the Shapland and Petter factory has stood at the end of Barnstaple Long Bridge. Manufacturers of doors, door sets, and custom wood interiors, NT Shapland and Petter Ltd are still one of the towns largest employers. The company was established by Henry Shapland (b. 1823), a cabinet maker by trade. He embarked on a voyage to America in 1848, where he was inspired by an invention for a wave-moulding machine. He was only allowed to see it if he left the country immediately. Returning home with only rough notes, he reproduced the machine and in 1854 began a cabinet making business in one room at the Raleigh woolen mill in Pilton. Later the firm moved to Bear Street in Barnstaple. Henry Petter was an accountant who entered into partnership with Mr Shapland. The business progressed and in 1864 they bought the Raleigh Factory where Shapland first began his work. Success was rapid, but in 1888 the building burnt down. Immediately work began on a bigger and better factory - their present site by the Long Bridge - which included many modern inventions The two Henrys died within two years of each other - Petter in 1907 and Shapland in 1909. In 1924 Shapland and Petter merged with the Barnstaple Cabinet Company, producing North Devon's biggest industry. During the First World War Shapland and Petter's skilled craftsmen turned their hands to wooden propellers for the aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps. After the war, public tastes changed, and hand carved furniture was too expensive for many. Shapland and Petter's output now included elegant veneered pieces with smooth Art Deco lines. The company fitted out Pullman carriages and ocean liners and made hand-carved church furniture. The famous England Rugby Captain W. W. Wakefield was appointed Company Director in 1927. Throughout the depression of the late 1920's and early 1930's the company still managed to produce high quality work Furniture manufacturing continued until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. Many workers left to fight, while the factory worked on Air Ministry contracts for ammunition boxes. After the war came radio cabinets and laboratory and contract furniture, until eventually large quantities of doors were being produced for hospitals, hotels, schools, offices and other buildings. Examples of Shapland and Petter's work can be seen all over North Devon. In Barnstaple, the shop front at 109 High Street is a good example, and the interior of the old Lloyd's Bank, now Chamber's Brasserie, was also Shapland's work. Examples of carving by Shapland's men can be seen in two chairs and a reading desk in Barnstaple Parish Church As cabinet makers, Shapland and Petter employed up to 350 people at a time. There were designers, carvers, cabinet makers, machinists, polishers, and labourers. The company was one of the first to install American labour-saving devices and was keen to adopt the most up-to-date machinery The fire of 1888 at the Raleigh Cabinet Works was a huge loss for the company. However, it resulted in a new factory which was altogether more modern and better equipped. The new building by the river was arranged into blocks. The production line began with the saw mills and ended with the finishing rooms. There was modern machinery in every department - one of their saws was the first of its kind in Britain. Water sprinklers and electric lights were a necessity - this factory would not burn down As well as the furniture production, Shapland and Petter imported timber by sea and rail. The new factory 's facilities were exceptional Shapland and Petter were renowned for excellent design and workmanship. The carvers were highly skilled, serving seven year apprenticeships and attending classes at the Barnstaple School of Art. Ornately carved furniture required up to a hundred tools The factory produced made to order woodwork for banks, hotels, and shops; mantelpieces, paneling and staircases. They fitted out Pullman railway carriages, the London Guildhall, and Edgar Wallace 's dining room as well as houses like Tapeley Park in North Devon Much of the work involved intricate leaded glass panels, or inlaid fruitwood designs, like the white bedroom suite shown in the exhibition here. This type of work is typical of Art Nouveau 1895 to 1910, inspired by the fluid shapes of plants and flowers Many pieces were made from standard designs. There were hundreds to choose from, and a selection could be seen in local and London showrooms and in catalogues. Although mass-produced, this furniture was well-made by skilled technicians and modern machinery Arts and Crafts designs of Shapland and Petter The development of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the South West of England has not been written up in any detail though we do know of the Art Potters of Barnstaple from the excellent book of this name by Audrey Edgeler. Less is known of the Barnstaple Guild of Metal Workers. We know of the Bath Cabinet Makers and the Newlyn School of Industrial Art in Cornwall but very little has been written about the furniture makers of Barnstaple in Devon The establishment of a large cabinet making firm in Barnstaple is not remarkable in itself; there were several cabinet makers in the area. What is interesting is that this particular Barnstaple firm should become a leading maker of Arts and Crafts furniture, copying the styles of the leading Architect designers and creating their own unique style Critics may point out that as their work was commercially driven and reliant upon machines it therefore does not really qualify as Arts and Crafts. Whilst the company was highly innovative in machine technology, they also employed many craftsmen who worked with their hands in woodcarving, marquetry work, design and application of decorative copperwork and other artistic embellishment in the true Arts and Crafts tradition. Anyone who has experience of Shapland and Petter workmanship knows the level of craftsmanship invested in each piece Sources of inspiration There appears to be no evidence to link any known architect, artist or designer to the Shapland and Petter company. Their designs appear to have been created solely by their own internal design staff none of whom appear to have published or registered their work in any other context C. R. Ashbee who established the Guild of Handicrafts visited Barnstaple in 1893 and provided a twelve week course on the design and decoration of furniture. It is presumed that this visit was hosted by Shapland and Petter, and that their own staff and those from other local furniture makers attended the course. Ashbee appears to have been unimpressed by the commercial attitudes he encountered and apparently disappointed at the lack of interest in his (high minded) lectures. What is interesting however is the similarity between some of his designs and those used by Shapland and Petter, particularly in respect to inlaid floral design. Perhaps he left a lasting influence which has not yet been verified There has been some speculation on the influence of Scottish designers, particularly because of the use of Glasgow rose designs which are typical of the Glasgow School, and particularly of Talwin Morris. There are also several designs which use similar motifs to those used by Baillie Scott, the use of two doves in flight for example. More research is needed to trace possible links here. One thing that is clear is that there was a great deal of copying and selling designs in the furniture industry at the time and a nineteenth century survey on the furniture trade recorded that '' Barnstaple pays the best prices for designs ..'' Collaboration with other companies There is evidence that Shapland and Petter organised a wide network of companies to retail their products and hence many pieces have the labels of retail furnishers added. Little is known of their marketing in Europe and America but it may be that many Arts and Crafts pieces were sold abroad. Shapland and Petter had excellent access to rail and shipping lines for importing timber and presumably for exporting their finished products The extent of their collaboration with other companies is yet to be ascertained but there is evidence that their suppliers included the Della Robbia Pottery, Pilkingtons Tile...

From Rome, Italy this beautifully ornate coat hook. Finished in ebonised wood with golden serpent detail. Dim; W: 150 cm H: 40 cm D; 20 cm

This is a wonderfully decorative three peg wall mounted coat/hat/clothing rack with a carved faux bamboo backplate. The backplate is 17.5 inches long, 2 inches high and 1.25 inches d...

Vintage industrial sausage rack, meat hooks, 4 hooks (also called dents de loup or wolf teeth), from a butcher's shop, first half of the 20th century, France. Lightweight but extrem...

This elegant coat rack from the 1930s embodies the Art Deco style and was crafted in Czechoslovakia by the renowned Thonet company in Bystřice pod Hostýnem. Its structure, made of st...

An Arts and Crafts walnut Hall stand by Shapland and Petter with a copper panel depicting a mythical creature to the top, leaf cut-outs to the centre with circular ball uprights to e...

Charming Dutch Arts & Crafts, Folk Art chip carved coat rack with gorgeous original brass hooks from the 1920s Richly decorated and fully hand carved on all sides with exquisite cr...

The patina, the form, the function and the overall presentation of this antique Aesthetic Movement mahogany hall tree make it worth a second and third look. It has all the elegance ...

A top quality Arts and Crafts oak Hallstand by Shapland and Petter with bevelled mirror flanked by a circular copper disc with hat and coat hooks, stylised cut-outs and stylised flor...

Magnificent and ultra rare Black Forest style wall coat rack. Striking European design from the 1900s. Solid oak frame with a hand-carved sculptured double-headed eagle. Four pati...

Industrial coat rack from Bauhaus factory built in 1920s. Original condition with losses on chrome. Cleaned, polished.

Antique coat and hat rack Massive walnut and bronze, made circa 1900. With four hooks in massive bronze. Good Condition.

France / 1915 / Coat Rack / oak, brass / Art Nouveau / Art Deco Nicely shaped coat rack in Art Nouveau style, hand crafted in France around 1915. This rare to find wall mounted rack...

Stunning Nouveau coat racks made in bent walnut wood. Two pieces available. This charming coat racks were designed by the mastery of Michael Thonet and produced in the early 1900s in...

Stunning and rare pair of Art Deco Modernist coat racks. Design by P.E.L. Izeren for De Genneper Molen. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak and original oak veneered fram...

Thonet Art Nouveau Wall Mounted Coat Rack Vienna c.1900 Bentwood - Art Nouveau - 1900s Anteroom coat rack model N°10806 with eight coat hooks and a flap door acting as a pocket holde...

Found in France, this iron Art Deco hall stand dates from the 1930s. Forged iron work in the style of Edgar Brandt features a footed umbrella stand at the base with fan-shaped decora...

A handsome example of a late Victorian hall stand created from solid oak, mirror and iron. This is a very useful antique that has everything you will need in your hall, an original d...

An original French Art Deco hand-hammered iron hall tree complete with hat, coat and umbrella accommodations. The architectural and linear design depicts rose flowers with scroll des...

Up to six beautiful and elegantly curved Art Nouveau coat hooks. Sold and priced per piece. Designed circa 1916 by Adolf Loos (1870 - 1933) for the Jugendstil Café Capua in Vienna. M...

Large size, great shape and excellent condition antique coat rack. If you are looking for a stylish and practical coat rack in the Arts & Crafts style then this period piece could be perfect for you. It is truly stylish, entirely original and, as you can see in our images, it is in very good condition. This quality antique is handcrafted from solid oak and it comes with the inlaid, hand painted and glazed tiles. These tiles are extra special, because on top of the glazing are unique, gilt and stylized flower motifs. This luxurious and colorful coat rack also comes with all the original and aesthetically beautiful hooks...

Art Deco vintage set of eight coat hooks from solid brass designed circa 1918 Vienna. The set of eight coat hooks shows a well patinated brass surface in warm golden tone and are ea...

Silent Servant Nr. 133 by Thonet. Produced in Vienna in the 1920's. Good vintage condition.

Enhance your hallway decor with the elegant and functional Emile Gallé hallway tree coat rack. Featuring exquisite craftsmanship and a timeless design. the coat rack comes with its ...

Antique French Rococo style gilt bronze curtain tiebacks or curtain holders, set of four. A beautiful and impressive set of four Rococo or Louis XV-style gilt bronze curtain holders ...

Bring a retro, yet practical touch to any entry or dressing area with this elegant, carved coat stand. The useful hat rack was crafted in France, circa 1920 in the style of German-Au...

Free standing wardrobe from the Gebrüder Thonet, Wien produced around 1900 . Made from bent beech wood and then stained in a dark colour. There are ...

Antique unique clothes rack made by hand from northern Sweden. The clothes rack is made around the year 1900 in painted pine. Original condition and original paint with some distress...

Art Deco French Modernist Brass Coat Rack & Rail La Maison Desny C.1920 A large French brass coat rack, fitted with a hanging rail and seve...

Art Deco wardrobe - 1930s This beautiful vintage wall coat rack from the 1930s is in the streamline modern art deco style. This style emphas...

Art Deco wardrobe chrome - 1930s This beautiful French wall coat rack from the 1930s is in the streamline modern Art Deco style. This style emphasized curvy streamlined shapes. This...

Stunning and elegant Art Nouveau hat and coat stand. Design in the style of Thonet and Jacob and Josef Kohn. Striking French design from the 1900s. Stained beech and bentwood frame w...

Art Deco vintage valet or coat rack from brown stained beech designed and made by Gebr. Thonet, Vienna, 1920s. Throughout its warm wooden tone and its practical form the valet would...

This beautiful vintage wall coat rack from the 1930s is in the streamline modern art deco style. This style emphasized curvy streamlined shapes....

An unusual French Beaux-Arts period wood and iron pegged hat and coat rack, with removable arms – circa early 1900s. Most often found in the entry ways of French homes or in the caf...

Art Deco wardrobe chrome - 1930s This beautiful French wall coat rack from the 1930s is in the streamline modern Art Deco style. This style emphasized curvy streamlined shapes. This...

This antique brass and metal hall tree was crafted in France, circa 1920. Standing on three thin scrolled legs, the tall rack features a fluted central...

Circa 1900-1910 Warm oak patina hand made barley twist cane stand with simple lines, six sectionals and original metal drip pans. Compact size and e...

This is a beautiful Arts and Crafts Oak Hall seat. This piece shows minor wear with a break to each arm. Otherwise, this work presents well. Mirror included.

A beautiful Art Nouveau brass wall coat hook designed by Adolf Loos, executed by Werkstätte Hagenauer, Vienna, 1910. In good condition with charming patina.

Bronze Hat and Coat Hooks on a Nautical Theme This is a Superb quality and very practical row of Hat and Coat Hooks, they are in the form of Bronze Ship Yard Bollards set on Teak Tw...

Antique, high-quality mahogany Arts and Crafts towel rail stand from circa 1900. This piece boasts solid construction with no loose joints and no signs of woodworm. Sure to make a ...

Magnificent and rare Art Deco Modernist coat rack Design by P.E.L. Izeren for De Genneper Molen. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak frame with solid walnut elements. Se...

A French Beaux-Arts period wooden and enameled peg hat and coat rail, circa 1900. The wall mounted wood rail has three bent metal arms with white enameled ball-shaped upper pegs f...

Magnificent and ultra rare Arts & Crafts Art Nouveau coat rack. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid walnut frame with original hand-carved veneered decorations. Ten original ...

French Art Deco coat peg and umbrella stand, France, 1920s. Wrought iron and glass. The coat-peg has its beveled mirror. Measurements: Coat-peg H 53 x W 65 x D 19.5 cm, H 20.9 x W 25...

Art Deco vintage chromed tube steel wardrobe with six coat hooks, one mirror, two umbrella stands and a shelf, plus a removable drip tray of the umbrella stand. A wonderful wardrobe,...