What wood are they usually made from?

Mahogany, more often than anything else. It is named in nearly two-thirds of the 317 titles listed on Sellingantiques, which makes the wood almost part of the object's name. Around a fifth name something else. Walnut, oak and pine lead, with ash, elm, beech, satin birch, satinwood, cherry, pitch pine and Oregon pine turning up in smaller numbers.

How old are antique towel rails?

The dealers' dated field runs from 1800 to 1920. Earliest sampled pieces are described as George III mahogany folding rails of around 1800; the latest are brass and chrome-mounted glass rails of the 1920s. The largest group is simply labelled "19th Century", so a great many are placed within a century rather than a decade. Where decades are given they lean late, with the 1900s, 1880s and 1910s the fullest. Regency accounts for a small number, and a few titles claim Georgian or George III.

Are folding towel rails common?

They are a distinct named type but a minority of listings, and mahogany folding rails a smaller group again. The wording varies: hinged, fold up, fold out, two-fold, three-fold, double folding and gate action all describe the same idea of a frame that closes or swings.

Do any carry a maker's name?

No. Across all 317 listings on Sellingantiques, not one maker's name surfaced from the dealer copy, and titles never mention stamps or labels. So these are described by wood, period and form rather than by workshop.

What sits at the top of the range?

Not the oldest pieces. Large Regency and Victorian stands hold the upper end, along with decorated Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts examples. Figured walnut, satinwood and satin birch also sit high, as do inlaid and marquetry frames, and the brass, copper, chromed steel and glass rails.

How many come up for sale?

Seventy-seven different dealers have listed towel rails on Sellingantiques, but only about thirty-one come to market in a year. That works out at well under one per dealer. Genuine pairs are unusual, with only three sampled listings offering two rails together, all well up the range.