Vintage Toleware Duck Coat Hooks in Duck Egg Blue and White

A pair of painted ducks paddling along on pale duck egg blue water, set above a chippy white wooden peg rail. The drake is a pochard, with a russet red head, a bright orange eye, a black breast and a finely flecked grey back, while his companion is painted in softer browns and buffs, with a cream face, a pale blue bill and beautifully layered feathers along her wing. Little strokes of the brush build up every feather, and the water sweeps up around them in a curl of blue.

The ducks are cut from sheet metal and painted by hand in the toleware tradition, then fixed above a wooden rail with three round turned pegs. Painted wildfowl have long been a favourite in English country houses, from carved decoy ducks on the mantelpiece to sporting prints in the gun room, and this piece brings that look to a hallway or boot room with a lighter, more cheerful touch.

It measures 40cm long and 28.5cm high, with the pegs standing 5cm out from the wall. Two small metal rings at either end of the rail make it easy to hang. It is just right by the back door for dog leads, a waxed jacket and a flat cap, or in a cloakroom for tea towels and aprons, and it would sit happily alongside other country finds such as old fishing creels and botanical prints.

Condition is in keeping with age and use, with chippy paint to the white rail and pegs that only adds to its charm, a few small marks and specks to the painted ducks, and some wear to the water along the lower edge.

A charming present for anyone who loves the riverbank, and a very handsome way to tidy up a hallway. You can find more painted pieces in our Toleware & Painted Folk Art collection.