Welcome to The Victorian Emporium historical publications
Historical Publications
Welcome to the History area of The Victorian Emporium. Here you can view and read all of our history articles.

History of Ironmongery
As for internal ironmongery, in the first half of the nineteenth century, door knobs tended to be brass, wood or glazed china spheres with some simple decorative elements, and fairly plain fingerplates.
History of Ironmongery

The First Kitchens
Kitchens of the rich were a reflection of their power and status and as such were often a collection of many rooms with different functions and a large staff.
The First Kitchens

History of Guttering
There are many types of guttering on the market to suit all styles of houses and of course pockets. Today’s ample range of guttering products is a far cry from days past.
History of Guttering

History of Gates and Railings
Cast iron increased in popularity during Victorian times and was widely used for making Victorian gates, railings, panels, and the decorative elements they incorporated.
History of Gates and Railings

The Origin of Mouldings
From the 16th century, 5 distinct orders were recognized whose origins come from Ancient Greece with some modifications by the Romans: Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite.
The Origin of Mouldings

The Evolution of Curtains
Hand-made fabric hangings or curtains were often used on walls as decoration, or to divide up room spaces in grand country or town houses. They were also used around beds to stop drafts and aid privacy.
The Evolution of Curtains

History of Tiles
Tile as we know it dates from c4,700 B.C. in Egypt while glass tiles were popular in 2,500 B.C. At Wittenham in Oxfordshire masses of Roman roof tiles were discovered in 2004 indicating that large
History of Tiles

History of Bathrooms
In more well to do households with indoor plumbing there would be decorative wash stands and wash basins, resembling the bathroom sink with plumbing which is relatively unchanged today.
History of Bathrooms

Heating and radiators
Victorian radiators are constructed of cast steel, known as a sealed steel hollow container filled with hot water feed with piping supplied by an electric pressure pump.
Heating and radiators

History of lighting
The first public street lighting was with gas. Many Victorian gas lanterns are still used but their gas mantels have now been replaced and converted to use electricity.