Antique French Kitchen Towel Rack, 4 Labeled Tea Towel Hooks, Wooden Porte-Torchons, c. 1910s

A wonderfully practical survivor from an old French kitchen.

This antique wooden porte-torchons was designed to keep four kitchen towels separate, with an original French label above each metal spring clip:

• COUVERTS — cutlery
• VERRES — glasses
• ASSIETTES — plates
• MAINS — hands

The ingenious clips grip the corner of each towel, while two original metal loops on the back allow the rack to be mounted on a wall. It is still wonderfully useful today—and brings authentic French brocante character to a kitchen without feeling merely decorative.

Dating to approximately the 1910s, the rack retains its warm honey-colored wood, original black labels, four metal clips and beautifully timeworn finish.

Details:

• Authentic vintage French kitchen towel rack
• Wood with metal labels, clips and hanging hardware
• Four labeled spring clips
• Measures approximately 12.75" long x 2.5" high
• Two mounting loops on the reverse
• Found in France
• Circa 1910s

Condition:

This is an authentically aged utilitarian piece with scratches, discoloration, metal oxidation, worn finish and numerous small historic woodworm holes. Two of the labels are a little loose, but stay in place.  These signs of age are clearly visible in the photographs and contribute to its wonderful brocante character. Please review all photographs carefully.

A rare and highly usable piece of everyday French domestic history—perfect for a French country kitchen, farmhouse pantry or anyone who believes even the dish towels deserve a little organization.