Shanks of Barrhead catalogue leaflet c1933 - the 'Cenqua' wash-fountain
The origins of Shanks went back into the Victorian era when John Shanks set up his plumbers shop in the Scottish town of Barrhead in 1853. Prospering he started his own foundry for brassware in 1866 and finally in 1900 went into earthenware production so as to become effectively a 'vertical' opertion making all aspects of sanitary ware. It was, of course, at a time when the sales of such goods was on the up with the increasing Victorian concern as to public health. Shanks stayed independent until 1969 when they merged with Armitage to become Armitage Shanks. In 1980 they became part of a a large group and sadly, in 1992, the Barrhead works went.
This circular washbasin is rather fine and I recall similar equipment in Coal Board collieries and workshops I used to visit in the 1980s. Also, the old basement Gents at St Pancras, back in the pre-Eurostar had some I think, along with circular urinals! The three step resession is quite clever and the type face is distinctive.
Shanks of Barrhead catalogue leaflet c1933 - the 'Cenqua' wash-fountain
The origins of Shanks went back into the Victorian era when John Shanks set up his plumbers shop in the Scottish town of Barrhead in 1853. Prospering he started his own foundry for brassware in 1866 and finally in 1900 went into earthenware production so as to become effectively a 'vertical' opertion making all aspects of sanitary ware. It was, of course, at a time when the sales of such goods was on the up with the increasing Victorian concern as to public health. Shanks stayed independent until 1969 when they merged with Armitage to become Armitage Shanks. In 1980 they became part of a a large group and sadly, in 1992, the Barrhead works went.
This circular washbasin is rather fine and I recall similar equipment in Coal Board collieries and workshops I used to visit in the 1980s. Also, the old basement Gents at St Pancras, back in the pre-Eurostar had some I think, along with circular urinals! The three step resession is quite clever and the type face is distinctive.