Originally, the antique swing arm cranes were sand-cast in pot metal – an amalgam of iron, zinc and tin.  Those antique cranes consisted of 4 distinct parts – a wall bracket, a single decorative scroll bracket, a telescoping tubular rod of soft light metal, and a finial.

Initially, we reproduced the antique cranes in bronze metal using a very expensive hand sand-casting process. The telescoping rods consisted of steel tubing that required time-consuming hand finishing. Our cost of production for those early cranes exceeded the retail price on our newly redesigned cranes.

The use for the antique reproduction crane was primarily limited to swing arm drapery curtains or occasional plant holders.

Our redesigned drapery cranes maintain the look and feel of the vintage Victorian cranes, but the material, production process and functionality are all greatly improved. Except for the wall brackets, which are stamped from steel to ensure maximum strength and support, all parts are cast in solid brass from precision cut molds. The 36" square brass tubular rod in our basic drapery crane set can be cut to any desired length for various types of swing-arm curtain rods or for towel bars or for toilet paper holders or for a variety of other purposes.

In the picture at the top of the page, the rods are cut to 18" on each side to allow the tips of the finials to touch when the cranes are closed on the window. In the treatment to the left, the rod is used at its full 36" length to span the full width of the window

Select "Basic Crane" on the menu to see what parts make up our basic crane set and to see some examples of the cranes used in window treatments.

Select "Double Scroll" on the menu to see how the modular parts of the basic drapery crane set can be used to create dramatic treatments for windows and doors.

Select "Bath Fixtures" to set how the parts of the crane set can be modified to make coordinating towel bars and toilet paper holders.

Select "Crane Parts" to see how the modular parts of the basic crane set are priced for special purchases.