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Although most of us are familiar with plastic bathtubs built right into our bathrooms, the original clawfoot tub was much different. The antique clawfoot bath tub came into being in the Victorian times. It was designed to stand alone raised off of the ground instead of being built permanently into the wall. Today, more interior designers and discerning home owners desire the simple beauty of the antique clawfoot bath tub.

In the Beginning

Bathing was common all the way back in the Roman Empire. However, it wasn’t like this everywhere. The difficulties posed by moving water to and from a home were not adequately solved until the 19th century when cast iron became a usable material. The new iron pipes replaced the crude hollowed logs and finally allowed anyone to enjoy indoor plumbing.

In the late nineteenth century the Koher Company made tubs out of cast iron. Bathing was not a common occurrence at this time but it started to catch on. The benefits of cleanliness were quickly appreciated and the cast iron tub proved to be durable and easy to maintain.

Soon spare rooms were converted to serve as bathrooms. Eventually, in the early twentieth century new homes were built with bathrooms included so that everyone could enjoy the benefits of indoor plumbing.

The Antique Clawfoot Bath Tub

The antique clawfoot bath tub rivals modern tubs. It’s cast iron construction is extremely durable and the enamel coating allows it to be easily cleaned. The American version generally includes faucet fixtures while the English version does not.

Most modern tubs are made of plastic. An antique claw foot bath tub stands out because it is cold to the touch and feels much harder and more durable. The antique claw foot bath tub will last forever unlike todays tubs which commonly crack and break from use.

One common design is that of the slipper tub. In this tub one end of the bathtub is raised more and angled for more comfortable sitting. A double slipper has this design on both ends of the tub.

If you are looking for your own antique clawfoot bath tub then you can probably find one online. Because of there immense weight the shipping charges will likely be high. However, the value added to your home will certainly make these charges worthwhile.