Faux bamboo towel rail – white painted wood, c. 1900–1930

White painted wooden towel rack in faux bamboo

An elegant towel rack in white painted wood in imitation bamboo, also known as faux bamboo. The uprights and rails are turned to look like bamboo, with rings as ‘nodes’ and small acorn-shaped finials on top. The rack consists of panels joined by iron wire loops that act as hinges, so you can stand it in a corner like a small folding screen. Each panel has three rails for hanging towels, throws or linen, and there are four small iron hooks on the front. It is just as useful as a drying rack or blanket rack as it is in the bathroom.

Why we chose this piece

Faux bamboo was hugely popular around 1900, when everything from Japan and the Far East was in fashion. This rack has exactly those light, graphic lines, and the white paint has worn so beautifully that the wood and older layers of paint show through. It is light, easy to move and takes up little space.

Style and interior

The rack suits a rural or brocante bathroom, a French bedroom or a light Scandinavian interior. In a bedroom or living room it is a lovely place for throws and scarves, in the kitchen for tea towels, and in a shop or studio as a display rack for textiles.

Dimensions: each panel 45 cm wide and 75 cm high; the rails are at 72, 44 and 17 cm high
Material: turned wood, painted white; iron hooks and wire loops
Style: faux bamboo (imitation bamboo)
Period: c. 1900–1930
Origin: France
Condition: The white paint is worn all over, with bare wood and older grey-blue and ochre layers of paint showing through (photos 3 and 4). The iron hooks and the wire loops that join the panels are rusted (photos 1 and 4). At a bamboo ‘node’ near the bottom of one of the uprights there is a small chip in the wood (photo 5). There are also small dents and some dirt in the grooves of the turning.
Price:
€ 95

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