You can recognize a clawfoot tub at a glance. You've seen them - they look old-fashioned with smooth rolled rims, resting on four legs with the "feet" resembling claws. We will examine these tubs, related styles such as pedestal bathtubs and the major brands making them.

* The original clawfoot tubs, made of cast iron with a porcelain finish, started becoming popular in the mid 1800's. European style clawfoot tubs typically have wall-mounted hardware and faucets, while the American style mounts the hardware on the tub itself.There are two main hardware mount styles: the American style has the hardware and faucets on the bathtub, while the European mounts them on the wall.
* Orginally, cast iron was the material of choice for clawfoot bath tubs. Nowadays, modern materials such as acrylic are commonly used - they look great, but make for lighter, more easily maintainable tubs.
* Some styles have a slanting back, allowing you to lie back and relax in comfort.
* On the other hand, a slipper bathtub has a high back.
* Pedestal tubs have the same features, except that they rest on a pedestal, or platform, instead of feet. They have a very elegant look indeed.
* Clawfoot and pedestal bath tubs are freestanding, and thus are relatively easy to install, since no carpentry or masonry has to be done, and the exposed pipes make maintenance and repair easy.

Top makers of these bathtub styles include:

* Barclay Products designs Victorian style clawfoot tubs made from both cast iron and acrylic, but with very modern accessories. Barclay combines the best of the old and the new in their products.
* Cheviot bathtubs is another top maker of clawfoot and pedestal bathtubs, with styles like the Traditional Roll Top and Slipper Bath Tubs.
* Vintage Tub and Bath is an online retailer whose main focus, in fact, is selling these classic styles of tubs.

Do yourself a favor and dress up your bathroom with an classically-styled clawfoot or pedestal tub.

Rob Barnes writes for Bathtubs For You, a consumer guide to helping you select, buy and maintain bathtubs, covering styles such as clawfoot bathtubs and Victorian bathtubs, and brands such as Barclay Tubs.