United Kingdom Coat Racks and Stands

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 ...

Roger Feraud. French. A rare "Clef De Sol" atomic iron hat and coat stand in original black paint with original red balls.     

Vintage Italian valet coat stand (circa 1950s). Old world glamour and practicality all at once make this valet coat stand extremely appealing. Th...

K0310 Elegant set of four Victorian brass and ceramic coat and hat hooks of very decorative design on ebonised solid oak backing with moulded top edge. Cleaned, polished and ready to...

A 19th century freestanding ebonised hat and coat stand

Vintage mid-20th Century black steel hall, coat or hat stand. Lovely age and charm. Solid and strong with no loose joints. Overall maximum dimensions: 50cm diameter x 200cm high....

Antique Victorian quality mahogany towel rail having five quality mahogany turned rails supported by barley twist columns standing on cabriole legs...

This is a good quality Victorian brass walking stick or umbrella stand, dating to the late 19th Century. It is a charming piece of a semicircula...

Magnificent exhibition quality antique Black Forest bear tree hall stand has two spectacular quality carved bears consisting of the mother be...

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...

Antique Circa 1900 Large Quality Bentwood Hall, Coat, or Hat Stand - against the wall semi-circular design A charming and high-quality Antique Bentwood Hall, Coat, or Hat Stand, dat...

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...

A 1970s French Riviera rattan and bamboo coat rack with four coat hooks, wooden shelf and geometric woven rattan back.

For sale is a wonderful pair of White Italian mid-century, Space-Age Coat Hooks in the manner of Luigi Caramella, dating from c.1970s. The hooks are in good vintage condition, with...

Mid 20th century scandinavian steel mobile clothes rail circa 1960. Tubular frame with leather wrap for handling.  Circular support one end with a pair of oversized wheels the other...

Aesthetic Bamboo Hall Stand, England circa 1870 The frame set with 4 turquoise Minton, Hollins & Co tiles decorated with cupids and butterflies Eboni...

Antique French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Coat/Hat Stand C.1880 Very attractive example. In good solid and sturdy condition.

The Hang it All coat rack was first designed for children in 1953. An icon of mid-century design, it was originally designed to encourage children to hang up their belongings. It has...

Midcentury Beech and Vinyl gentleman's valet seat, Formax Valet by Breveitato, Dress Boy A very useful piece, the hanger or Valet is made in Beech, it w...

A sculptural post modern coat stand in natural polished plywood with travertine base Italy C1970

French Art Deco Gentleman’s floor standing brass suit hanger or dumb valet A very useful piece, the hanger or clothes stand is in brass and has a 3 footed base, it has a small cir...

E W Godwin style of, a fine quality Anglo-Japanese oak hallstand with upper panels depicting songbirds perched in a cherry blossoms, a central bevelled mi...

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...

This is an antique boot jack. An English, walnut folding shoe pull, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. Fascinating reception hall pull, wi...

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...

Antique English Edwardian Towel Rail C.1910 A handsome example. presented in good condition commensurate with age. Please message for a shipping quote.

Antique French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Wall Mounted Coat/Hat Rack Constructed from fruitwood to simulate bamboo. C.1880 Good solid construction. Very good condition commensurate of ...

Art Deco Gentleman’s floor standing valet or suit hanger A very useful piece, the Valet or clothes stand is made in beech, it will accommodate jacket ...

Italian midcentury folding valet stand, black enamelled stand with brass and wooden brass by Fratelli Reguitti.

A stylish 1950's set of 4 x triple and 3 smaller double brass hooks or coat hangers in the style of Luigi Caccia Dominioni. heavy, sculptural, beautiful design and quality. the dime...

circa 1880 19thC English Bamboo Mirrored Hall Stand sku 1910 W67 x D50 x H178 cm Weight 13 kg

19thC Cast Iron Hall Stand by the Falkirk Foundry - large and impressive decorative 19thC black painted, stamped to the reverse along with a registration kite mark lozenge, complete ...

Vintage 1960s Tomado red metal coatrack and hat rack Measurements each- H17cm, D29cm, W60cm.

Victorian mahogany hall stand This is a handsome piece, the stand has an imposing Swan Neck pediment set over carved sun flowers and ...

Gentleman’s Floor Standing Valet or Suit Hanger A very useful piece, the Valet or clothes stand is made in beech, it will accommodate jacket and trousers, but it would do just as ...

Iron coat hooks, wall rack A good set, the wall rack has 4 hooks set on an iron frame, they have a decorative bracket with a little of the old gild...

An excellent antique free standing bentwood coat / hat / stick hallstand by Thonet, circa 1880 in date. It features a beehive finial and central pillaster complete with quatrefoil-s...

We are delighted to offer for sale this Antique original, circa 1880, extra large, Thonet Bentwood solid Beech wood eight prong coat stand / rack. This is in my opinion the finest hat, coat and...

1970s Bamboo rattan coat hanger by Vivai del sud.

Mahogany “Tree of Life” hall stand, the molded upright with two turned coat hooks headed by a scrolling carved plume, flanked by four conforming C scroll arm...

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 ...

Quality 19th Century Victorian antique carved mahogany hall stand with a superb carved top, shaped mirror to the centre, original brass hooks, one drawer, shaped stick stand, suppo...

For sale is a wonderful pair of Italian mid-century, Space-Age "ARCO" Coat Hooks designed by Luigi Caramella for Italian company Con&Con in the 1970s. This colourful pair are in su...

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 ...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique circa 1880-1900 Austrian Thonet bentwood extra large coat rack 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 collectable Thonet bentwood coat stand...

Stylish Retro Chrome Valet, Suit Hanger, Mannequin The Valet is a good quality piece, the hanger or clothes stand is in chrome, it will accommodate eithe...

circa 1870 19th century English Bamboo mirrored hall stand Measures: W75 x D30 x H195 cm.    

Dr C. Dresser style of, An Aesthetic Movement Gothic style oak hall stand with central arched mirror, flanked by open sides and six turned button ended coat hooks to the outer edges, with mitred plank details above a lift up seat with storage...

K0297 Very stylish long set of five and four, Victorian brass and ceramic coat hooks on grey painted pine with moulded edge. Fitted with two wall fixings, all in home ready conditio...

Set Of Dummy Stands Shop Mannequins Salvaged 1950 On trend set of four dummy stands or mannequins Salvaged from a shop, great interiors piece Dummys covered in fabric and sit on a w...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly collectable, one of a kind heavy cast brass Victorian coat stand with red velour c...

Coalbrookdale-style cast iron hall stand, of arched form, with eight scrolled hooks, the central pierced oval with cast leaf and fruit swags, over twin umbrella compartments, scroll ...

French Art Deco brass haberdashery window display stand A handy little piece made in brass, the stand has swivel arms with can be set at any angle from the central column, there a...

a beautiful set of 5 metal coat or hat hooks or hangers, most probably French, modernist art deco

Art Deco Style French Chrome Coat Rack, Hat and Coat Hooks Very Stylish Chrome Cloakroom Coat Rack The rack has 3 double swan neck coat hooks The bracket is 7” tall, 16” long and st...

A tall and elegant Art Deco hall stand, crafted in beautifully figured walnut with chrome fittings and mirror, dating to the 1930s. This striking piece combines practical functionali...

A 1960s French vintage chrome and grey-coated metal wall hanging coat and hat rack. Very well made with grey-coated metal brackets which hooks to the wall with six double circular co...

An exceptional antique Victorian cast-iron hall stand by Coalbrookdale. With black Kilkenny marble top, coat hooks, stick stands, removable umbrella drip trays and original mirror. ...

Shapland and Petter. An Arts & Crafts oak hall cupboard in the style of M.H. Baillie Scott, of tapering Architectural form. The flaring cornice with an open upper hat cupboard, flank...

A rare pair of simple Arts and Crafts oak plant stands with square tops, and tapering legs united lower down by twin stretchers with a circular plant holder above, (the plant holders...