Ken Byers has come up with another inovative miniature for us to enjoy. Ken is a long time dealer at the show whose products go from authentic copies of Shaker furniture to typewriters to this interesting new item. Here is what Ken says about it.
“With daily bathing becoming more accepted by the 1880s, many attempted to develop innovative ways to heat bath water and to incorporate the portable bathtub within a room setting. The folding tub (or Murphy tub as it is sometimes called) was made by The Mosely Folding Bath Company and advertised in the 1895 Montgomery Ward Catalog and 1902 Sears catalog. This tub, disguised as a mirrored wardrobe, folded down and out of its wood casing into the room, revealing the gas fired heater above.
The bathtub was not connected to drainage plumbing, so it had to be scooped out after use which may have contributed to its demise.”
With that explanation, here is this new delight. Ken's email is artisan@pacbell.net and web site is http://www.shakerworkswest.com
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| Here the bathtub is open |
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| Here the bathtub is closed |
Wow! What a gorgeously made piece. Interesting, attractive and mesmerizing to see it transform.
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