1890s Brown-Westhead Moore & Co Antique Washbasin with Blue & Gold Lustre

Acquire a true masterpiece of Victorian plumbing heritage with this extraordinary 1890s antique washbasin. Produced by the renowned English pottery Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co specifically for the high-end French market, this large basin features rich dark blue and gilded gold lustre pinstriping along with integrated soap recesses. Boasting unmatched provenance as a former display piece in the private Thomas Crapper collection—curated by Royal Household consultant Simon Kirby—this historic item brings museum-grade prestige to any period restoration or luxury heritage bathroom.

Design Features

• Anglo-French Heritage: Stamped in French underneath the front apron, showcasing its rare export provenance for 19th-century Parisian interiors.

• Gilded & Cobalt Detailing: Decorated with striking dark blue borders and delicate gold lustre lines around the rim, bowl, and soap recesses.

• Original E. Porcher Brassware: Comes complete with an incredible polished brass waste plunger stamped E. Porcher, Paris, alongside its original brass waste pipe and a small freestanding polished brass pillar suitable for use as a soap dish.

Condition

Preserved in its original antique state, reflecting its 130-year history. It features a small chip on the left side and a slight stress crack near the top rim of the basin. The glaze, gilding, and French maker’s stamps remain clearly visible and strikingly preserved.

Technical Specifications

• Era: Late Victorian (c. 1890s)

• Manufacturer: Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co (England) for E. Porcher (Paris)

• Material: Earthenware / Vitreous Ceramic

• Colour: White with Dark Blue & Gold Lustre

• Width: 71.5cm

• Depth: 53.5cm

• Hardware Included: Original E. Porcher brass plunger waste, waste pipe, and brass soap pillar

Why Choose This Antique Basin?

Finding an antique basin with confirmed Thomas Crapper Museum provenance and original French-market brassware is an exceptionally rare opportunity for serious collectors and period restorers. This piece offers an unmatched historical narrative, structural presence, and investment quality that standard reclaimed ceramics cannot match.

Delivery and Collection

Due to the irreplaceable historic value and fragile nature of 19th-century ceramics, we offer specialized delivery using reinforced, high-impact packaging at an extra cost. Alternatively, collection is available directly from our workshop located near Broadway in the Cotswolds.

Need a Specific Match?

If you can’t find the exact item you’re looking for online, please get in touch. Our warehouse holds hundreds of unlisted pieces from heritage British manufacturers like Armitage Shanks, Royal Doulton, Twyfords, Shires, and Ideal Standard.

Specialists in Discontinued Colours

We stock an extensive range of rare bathroom shades from the 1950s through to the 1990s. Whether you need a 1980s Heather Pink or a 1990s Peach, we can help you find the perfect replacement.

Our inventory includes popular and rare tones such as:

• Classic Pinks: Flamingo, Orchid, Chiffon, and Rose Water.
• Retro Greens: Avocado, Pampas, Sage, and Apple Blossom.
• Vintage Blues: Bermuda Blue, Sky Blue, and Caspian.
• Earth & Neutrals: Indian Ivory, Champagne, Pergamon, and Harvest Gold.
• The “Whisper” Range: Available in Apricot, Blue, Cream, Green, Grey, Peach, and Pink.

Looking for a specific shade like Penthouse, Twilight, or Bali? Get In Touch — we likely have the exact match in our unlisted stock.