Curtain Poles

[Nigel Watts]

I sourced the poles for my recent curtain project from McKinney & Co:

http://www.mckinney.co.uk/

These comprised a brass pole on which the curtains hang and can be drawn then a thicker (3 inch) reeded oak pole, mounted higher and further from the wall to support the swags. I couldnt decide on finials for the oak pole at the time.

I have recently been looking again and come across these guys, in deepest Pennershire. They look even more impressive:

http://www.edwardharpley.com/

I have been quoted £142 per pair for these (except in oak)

This goes up to £774 per pair, hand carved like this (in plain oak, not gilt):

I prefer the second design but am inclined to go for the first and perhaps have a go at carving them myself.

Any other ideas for suppliers? The finials must been in real oak, not a cheaper wood stained oak colour, as so many so-called oak poles are.

 

[Penners]

these guys, in deepest Pennershire.

Wow - a county named after me! (Or is it the other way around?)

Can't say I know that firm, but Jim Lawrence also have their HQ in Hadleigh, so I wonder whether the companies are associated in any way?

If you get the chance to visit Hadleigh, do take it. A stunning small town - one of John Betjeman's favourites.

 

[ilona73]

have you not looked on ebay?
i know these ones are pretty pricey but there are a lot of companies on ebay where you can source similar items for a fraction of the cost and still very high quality too such as these

http://www.lassco.co.uk/app/product-detail/report/lassco_product_list_view/start/375/uid/10746/





http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lovely-Pair-Of-Gold-Pugin-Curtain-Finials-Shabby-Chic_W0QQitemZ370084017009QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Curtains_Blinds_CurtainFixtures_Accessories_EH?
hash=item562ab9f371#ht_1999wt_941

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Elegant-Pair-Of-Bronze-Curtain-Brackets-Shabby-Chic_W0QQitemZ220170304422QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Curtains_Blinds_CurtainFixtures_Accessories_EH?hash=item33432c3ba6#ht_2088wt_941


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Original-Victorian-Mahogany-Curtain-Pole-ornate-Finials_W0QQitemZ190366054421QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiques_Architecural_RL?hash=item2c52b37815#ht_500wt_1006

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/victorian-Pokerwork-Bamboo-Ornate-Finial-Curtain-Pole_W0QQitemZ190366040730QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiques_AntiqueFurniture_SM?hash=item2c52b3429a#ht_500wt_1006



just to throw something else into the mix!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bulk-selection-of-Wooden-Curtain-Poles_W0QQitemZ220542572858QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Curtains_Blinds_CurtainFixtures_Accessories_EH?hash=item33595c993a#ht_500wt_781


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/35mm-Museum-Asher-Antique-Gilt-Curtain-Pole_W0QQitemZ320477044557QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Curtains_Blinds_CurtainFixtures_Accessories_EH?var=&hash=item76be6e5ea5#ht_664wt_766

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TORAH-SILVER-FINIALS-RIMONIM-PALESTINE-BEZALEL-NOUVEAU_W0QQitemZ160395758866QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiques_EthnographicAntiques_EH?hash=item2558550d12#ht_4171wt_1167



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Set-19th-C-French-Pole-Holders-Finials-Hold-Backs_W0QQitemZ310194550426QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiques_Architecural_RL?hash=item483909369a



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique-victorian-brass-curtain-pole-supports-REDUCED_W0QQitemZ110482419103QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiques_Architecural_RL?hash=item19b943ed9f#ht_500wt_1006


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ANTIQUE-VICTORIAN-BRASS-CURTAIN-POLE_W0QQitemZ270508611184QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiques_Architecural_RL?hash=item3efb91d670#ht_1580wt_991

 

[ilona73]

but why stop there what about antique hold backs????

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Striking-Set-4-Bronze-19th-C-French-Tie-Back-Hooks_W0QQitemZ310195352116QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiques_Architecural_RL?hash=item4839157234#ht_1249wt_1167


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fabulous-2-Prs-19th-C-French-Bronze-Curtain-Hold-Backs_W0QQitemZ310195540086QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiques_Architecural_RL?hash=item4839185076#ht_1151wt_1167

 

[ilona73]

For those of you who want hand forged bespoke wrought iron poles


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-forged-wrought-Iron-curtain-poles-Made-to-measure_W0QQitemZ200427987065QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Curtains_Blinds_CurtainFixtures_Accessories_EH?hash=item2eaa706079#ht_2273wt_991

 

[ilona73]

these guys ship internationally and to be honest have some things a little out of the ordinary so its more than worth a look for poles finials etc...

Exceptionally good for carved finials even factoring in shipping

http://www.interiormall.com/cat/ncollections.asp?c1=Curtain+Rods&c2=Decorative

 

[JoceAndChris]

Dragged myself away from my hideous hallway to look at all these lovely links from you ilona- I love these antique fittings. I wish really that I'd sourced something like them rather than the plain, oversized Jim Lawrence I finally went for. However I worried that it was all getting a bit too chateau!

Nigel, with your characteristic fine taste I think you've found the most expensive finials in the land! Will they be very visible despite swags? I think you should have a go at carving those plain oak ones yourself.

I don't know of any supplier of solid oak finials I'm afraid.

 

[ilona73]

Nigel, with your characteristic fine taste I think you've found the most expensive finials in the land! Will they be very visible despite swags? I think you should have a go at carving those plain oak ones yourself.

I don't know of any supplier of solid oak finials I'm afraid.

I think i agree with you even i have never sourced any that expensive..!!

Solid wood ones here... even unfinished to finish yourself!!
http://www.interiormall.com/cat/ncollections.asp?c1=Curtain+Rods&c2=Decorative

right think i have earned myself a coffee now!!!

 

[Feltwell]

For those of you who want hand forged bespoke wrought iron poles


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-forged-wrought-Iron-curtain-poles-Made-to-measure_W0QQitemZ200427987065QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Curtains_Blinds_CurtainFixtures_Accessories_EH?hash=item2eaa706079#ht_2273wt_991

I heartily recommend Stuart at Genuine Forgery, the guy who is on Ilona's Ebay link above. Really nice bloke, a true one man band, working out on an old milking shed on a farm. There are a lot of rubbish metal poles on Ebay sold as "hand-forged" that are actually welded mild steel, Stuart's are the real thing.

See this old post - he also repaired and made a replacement section for those big cast windows on my garage, and he's making new driveway gates up for me very shortly.

http://periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9837&start=0&hilit=genuine+forgery

 

[Nigel Watts]

Thanks for all the great links, which I will study with interest.

As it happens I do own a woodworking lathe (bought second hand from a neighbour of my parents), but it's in my late father's workshop at the bottom of my mother's garden, to which the electricity supply has failed. My woodturning skills are in any event very shaky, but lack of knowledge or skill has rarely stopped me having a go at things in the past (I am drawing the line at skiing though). I did think of turning my own, and indeed still might....

 

[ilona73]

For those of you who want hand forged bespoke wrought iron poles


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-forged-wrought-Iron-curtain-poles-Made-to-measure_W0QQitemZ200427987065QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Curtains_Blinds_CurtainFixtures_Accessories_EH?hash=item2eaa706079#ht_2273wt_991

I heartily recommend Stuart at Genuine Forgery, the guy who is on Ilona's Ebay link above. Really nice bloke, a true one man band, working out on an old milking shed on a farm. There are a lot of rubbish metal poles on Ebay sold as "hand-forged" that are actually welded mild steel, Stuart's are the real thing.

See this old post - he also repaired and made a replacement section for those big cast windows on my garage, and he's making new driveway gates up for me very shortly.

http://periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9837&start=0&hilit=genuine+forgery

I too have used Stuart before on numerous occasions for clients... his craftsmanship is awesome! i have him on my favourites list on ebay just because its easier fro me to turn to quickly on the main computer as everything is stored on my laptop which paul has nicked off me haha
charmin not only do i cook for him but he wants my laptop too!!!

 

[Flyfisher]

I did think of turning my own, and indeed still might....

That was my first thought when I read the price tag! You seem a pretty handy sort of chap so if anyone could do it I'm sure you could. You even have a lathe for goodness sake so stop making excuses about power failure, buy an extension lead, run it down the garden and start churning them out.

We'll expect to see photos after the weekend. :wink:

 

[Feltwell]

I too have used Stuart before on numerous occasions for clients... his craftsmanship is awesome! i have him on my favourites list on ebay just because its easier fro me to turn to quickly on the main computer as everything is stored on my laptop which paul has nicked off me haha
charmin not only do i cook for him but he wants my laptop too!!!

I wouldn't use Ebay for Stuart's stuff - give him a call, save him the Ebay fee, at his prices he deserves it!
His website is rubbish (he tells me he'll sort it one day...) but here it is anyway:-

http://www.genuineforgery.com/

Whilst Christmas shopping I saw some poles waiting to be collected by a customer in the Old House Store in Shrewsbury - I could have sworn they were Stuart's, if they weren't then they were very similar. I sneaked a look at the invoice and it was for about 3 times what he charges.

 

[MdB]

Interesting......

We have just ordered a load of curtain poles from Stuart after my wife found him on ebay and then spoke to him on the phone. It looks like we made a good choice of supplier

I'm sure I'll post some pics once they have arrived and have been installed.

 

[ilona73]

I too have used Stuart before on numerous occasions for clients... his craftsmanship is awesome! i have him on my favourites list on ebay just because its easier fro me to turn to quickly on the main computer as everything is stored on my laptop which paul has nicked off me haha
charmin not only do i cook for him but he wants my laptop too!!!

I wouldn't use Ebay for Stuart's stuff - give him a call, save him the Ebay fee, at his prices he deserves it!
His website is rubbish (he tells me he'll sort it one day...) but here it is anyway:-

http://www.genuineforgery.com/

Whilst Christmas shopping I saw some poles waiting to be collected by a customer in the Old House Store in Shrewsbury - I could have sworn they were Stuart's, if they weren't then they were very similar. I sneaked a look at the invoice and it was for about 3 times what he charges.

I dont use him off ebay i just keep his ebay shop on my favourites list for reference for pictures etc because like you say his website isnt that great and it throws you back to ebay most of the time anyway!,!

 

[Nigel Watts]

This is where the finial needs to go (apologies for the poor photo):

The lack of a finial looks wrong to me. Because I have set off to create a look like this I have to follow it through. This means I need four identical finials, of the right material colour and quality, otherwise the whole thing will be compromised. I fear this means I need to go the the main man in this case, much though I like all the other suggestions.

 

[essexbearhunter]

You could try a firm who do general wood-turning. The link below was just the first that I came up with. Their web site says that they also do one (or four)-offs - just contact them. http://www.davedalbywoodturning.co.uk/home.html

Along the same route:
at craft fairs you see a lot of wood turners with their bowls etc. I reckon that one of these might put a great deal more into your finials than you would get from someone just "knocking them out".

 

[ilona73]

There is a craft and woodworking show in london in marchs i think .. my brother in law is going as he is a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade.
I am sure its at alexandra palace and its generally on for 3 or 4 days....
not too sure on admission prices but i do know its not normally expensive, i know its only normally a nominal fee generally less than ten pounds and normally your ticket is valid for all days for one price if bought in advance...
I know they even do lessons at the events too as i have been to one about 5 years ago now...
Its certainly something to think about I am sure if you have an idea comissioning your own wont be as expensive and if you can get to somewhere like craft supplies in derbyshire you can even chose your own piece of wood for them to be made from maybe?

I will check with my sister and see if i can find out a bit more for you. afterall i speak to her most days anyway ! :lol: :lol:

 

[ilona73]

Okay no phone call needed

its here

http://www.getwoodworkinglive.co.uk/index.html

 

[benmc]

I will add another recommendation here. I have use him for 4 different curtain poles now, great products custom made.

Ben

For those of you who want hand forged bespoke wrought iron poles


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-forged-wrought-Iron-curtain-poles-Made-to-measure_W0QQitemZ200427987065QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Curtains_Blinds_CurtainFixtures_Accessories_EH?hash=item2eaa706079#ht_2273wt_991

I heartily recommend Stuart at Genuine Forgery, the guy who is on Ilona's Ebay link above. Really nice bloke, a true one man band, working out on an old milking shed on a farm. There are a lot of rubbish metal poles on Ebay sold as "hand-forged" that are actually welded mild steel, Stuart's are the real thing.

See this old post - he also repaired and made a replacement section for those big cast windows on my garage, and he's making new driveway gates up for me very shortly.

http://periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9837&start=0&hilit=genuine+forgery

I too have used Stuart before on numerous occasions for clients... his craftsmanship is awesome! i have him on my favourites list on ebay just because its easier fro me to turn to quickly on the main computer as everything is stored on my laptop which paul has nicked off me haha
charmin not only do i cook for him but he wants my laptop too!!!