Marmara Scallop-Shape Handwash Basin by Ideal Standard

Transform your guest bathroom into a curated design space with this genuine 1970s marble shell basin. Part of the exclusive Marmara range by Ideal Standard, this basin is a celebrated example of late-20th-century luxury. Featuring a stunning scallop-shell silhouette and a distinctive cream-and-brown marble glaze effect, each piece in this range was designed to mimic the natural variations of stone, ensuring that no two basins are exactly alike.

Sculptural 1970s Luxury

The Marmara model was a premium offering from Ideal Standard, designed to bring a “maximalist” and organic feel to high-end homes:

• Shell/Scallop Silhouette: The elegantly fluted rim and deep, rounded bowl evoke the natural symmetry of a seashell, providing a soft, flowing alternative to standard geometric basins.

• Hand-Glazed Marble Effect: The swirling blend of cream and amber-brown tones creates a rich, marbled aesthetic that pairs perfectly with warm timber, brass accents, or dark, moody tiling.

• 1-Tap Hole Layout (1TH): This basin is designed for a single mono-mixer tap. We can include the original mixer tap shown in the photos at no extra cost; please note this is sold “as seen” and has not undergone the same restoration work as the ceramic.

Condition and Authentic Patina

As a genuine piece of luxury salvage from the 1970s/80s, this basin has been carefully inspected to preserve its unique finish:

• Very Good Overall Condition: The vitreous china is structurally sound with no chips or cracks.

• Lustrous Glaze: The marble effect remains vibrant and glossy, free from the heavy crazing often found in older decorative ceramics.

• Statement Proportions: With a 50cm width and 39cm depth, it is the perfect size for a statement cloakroom, a vintage-inspired bedroom vanity, or a boutique en-suite.

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: Ideal Standard

• Model: Marmara

• Era: c. 1970s – early 1980s

• Effect: Cream & Brown Marbled

• Width: 50cm

• Depth: 39cm

• Configuration: 1-Tap Hole (1TH)

Why Choose a Marmara Shell Basin?

The marble shell basin is the ultimate choice for a homeowner or interior designer looking for a “hero” piece. Because the Marmara range was expensive to produce and features a highly specific glaze technique, these basins are increasingly difficult to find on the salvage market. It offers an immediate sense of history and “Old World” luxury that modern mass-produced fixtures simply cannot replicate.

Safe and Secure Delivery

Shipping decorative, fluted ceramics requires specialised care. We offer secure delivery at an extra cost, utilising reinforced, shock-absorbent packaging to ensure your Marmara basin arrives in perfect condition. Alternatively, collection is available from our workshop.

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.