Antique single carved wooden curtain hold back in old gilt gesso finish

A wonderful antique French carved wooden curtain hold back.
In a grand French home, the drapes or curtains at the doors and windows were usually held back with these wooden stoppers, which were bracketed into the wall at the side or into the wooden panelling around the window. French windows and doors were dressed with a single drape, swept to one side and hooked over the hold back in a dramatic swathe. Each window had a single hold back, but often the salons and chambres had several windows, each had its own drape and hold back.

The circular front and column shaft of this antique item is deeply turned, and dished, with a conical tip. I believe the wood to be a softwood. It is probable that this item is Nineteenth Century or perhaps early Twentieth Century.
There is a lovely gilt gesso finish to this item, gold over red size.
The hold back has some areas of loss and discolouration to the finish, see photos. It is fresh from the attics of an eighteenth century chateau and I have not cleaned or polished it, preferring to offer in original as found condition. The hold-back price reflects condition.

Size approx 20cm long, 8cm diameter at widest part, 5.5cm diameter at base. Price is for one single hold back.


We are able to post out parcels from Metropolitan France and shipping fees are shown, the customer is responsible for any import duties incurred for an item. Please allow plenty of transit time, as European post is notoriously slow! Please also note that deliveries within France are made to a Pont Relais collection point, there are usually a number of these located in shops and supermarkets in each town, and you will be given the opportunity to specify which one you prefer. Deliveries to other European destinations are generally to your doorstep.

Our items are carefully selected antique and vintage pieces from France and they show the character and charm of years of use. We do not sell new or reproduction items so you can expect to find signs of the age and life that the piece has led. We believe this history adds to the story of an item. Obvious damage and faults will always be mentioned in our descriptions but minor age-related condition issues are not considered a detriment.