Wooden towel rail, in the form of a human figure, with arms outstretched holding towel roller, cansdand painted, Swiss, 1750-1900

Outstretched in the man’s arms is a rail used to hang towels before and after washing. The carved and painted man looks like a personal servant. Not much is known about the origins of the object, but it may have been used in private houses or public baths. The towel rail was bought from a private collection in 1929.