Vintage 2-Hole Bath Tap

What defines this tap is its handset shaped like a telephone receiver, resting on a cradle at the top of the mixer. You pick it up like an old telephone, rinse, and put it back. A hose of about 150 cm, shown on the diagram, connects it to the body.

The cradle is mounted on a turned column with its mouldings, which gives the tap its old-time bathroom silhouette. The whole thing measures about 28 cm high and the handset 18 cm long, according to the dimensioned diagram. It suits a freestanding bath as well as a built-in one.

Two four-armed cross handles control the water: one for hot, the other for cold. You mix by hand, the old-fashioned way. The supplier states a ceramic-core mechanism, smoother to operate than old washers.

Between the two, a central button acts as a switch: it chooses between the handset and the bath spout, according to the annotated photo. The spout, curved downwards, swivels through 180°: swing it aside so you do not knock it when washing your hair, bring it back over the water to fill the bath.

The tap comes in black, brushed nickel, chrome and gold. In the photos, the gold version has transparent faceted cross handles, the others metal cross handles matching the body. Brushed nickel is the most discreet, black the most graphic, gold the most decorative.

Fitting is on the wall onto two water inlets, with moulded rosettes that cover the thread. It is a direct replacement for an old bath shower mixer if the inlets are at the right distance; measure them before ordering. For any question about dimensions, customer service answers Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm.