Double Slipper Copper Bathtub with Tin Interior

Add artisan warmth and timeless appeal to your bathroom with this handcrafted double slipper hammered copper bathtub, featuring a polished tin-plated interior. Designed with equal-height rolled ends and a softly flared base, this soaking tub combines historical charm with ergonomic elegance. Each piece is handmade in Mexico using recycled copper and hand-plated tin for a rich, contrasting texture that exudes sophistication. Whether you’re restoring a vintage farmhouse or elevating a rustic-chic home spa, this tub offers comfort, durability, and show-stopping beauty.

History of Copper as a Decorative Element

Copper has been used as a decorative material for over five thousand years. In ancient Egypt, artists fashioned intricate jewelry, statues, and household vessels from copper, exploiting its warm hue and capacity to take a brilliant polish. Greeks and Romans elevated copper ornamentation further, creating fine relief panels, decorative tiles, and inlays for public buildings and private villas. Throughout the medieval period, copper found new expression in church art—altars, candlesticks, and baptismal fonts—while artisans in the Islamic world introduced elaborate copper lanterns and engraved metalwork.

By the Renaissance, European coppersmiths were producing elaborately hammered and chased copper panels to adorn walls and ceilings. The material’s malleability allowed for fluid curves and detailed patterns, while its natural oxidation offered a range of patinas, from glowing rose to deep green. In the 18th and 19th centuries, copper sheet became a favored material for roofing and gutters on grand estates—over time developing a verdigris patina that came to symbolize age and elegance. In modern interiors, copper’s versatility continues to inspire designers: from sleek, polished countertops to hand-hammered sinks and decorative accents, it brings a tactile warmth and artisanal character unmatched by any other metal.

History of Copper Manufacturing in Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán

Santa Clara del Cobre, nestled in the mountains of Michoacán, Mexico, is the world’s preeminent center of artisanal copper production. Its origins date to pre-Hispanic times, when the Purépecha civilization first mined and shaped native copper for tools, ornaments, and ritual objects. After the Spanish conquest, local craftsmen learned European hammering and smelting techniques, blending them with indigenous knowledge to refine copper artistry.

By the 17th century, Santa Clara del Cobre had become a thriving metalworking community. Artisans operated small forges, using charcoal-fueled furnaces and hand tools to transform ingots into household wares—plates, pots, and decorative pieces—each hammered and annealed entirely by hand. The town’s reputation spread throughout New Spain and into Europe, as its coppersmiths perfected the art of the “martillado” (hammered) finish and developed distinctive patination methods.

Today, generations of families in Santa Clara del Cobre continue this heritage. Workshops still source recycled copper, heat it in traditional kilns, and hammer it on wooden stakes using wooden mallets. Each step—from annealing to patina application—is done by hand, ensuring that every piece bears the individual mark of its maker. This living tradition not only preserves centuries-old techniques but also sustains the local economy and cultural identity, making a Santa Clara copper bathtub a true heirloom of Mexican craftsmanship.

Key Features

• Made to order
• Hand-hammered copper
• Custom sizes available
• Freestanding installation
• Recycled 16-gauge copper
• Polished tin-plated interior

Why Pick This Copper Tub

This Mexican hammered copper tub with a tin-plated interior is more than just a functional piece—it’s an artistic centerpiece. The double slipper design allows for reclining comfort on both ends, making it ideal for deep soaking. The hammered copper surface features a natural brown patina that ages gracefully, while the tin interior adds a silvery glow, enhancing the rustic yet refined aesthetic. Built by skilled artisans using traditional techniques, each bathtub offers subtle variations in hammering and finish, ensuring no two are alike. This piece is especially suited for bathrooms styled in Spanish Revival, farmhouse, or transitional rustic décor.

Sizes & Patina Options

Every bathtub is made to order, offering flexibility in size and finish. Standard lengths range from 48” to 84”, but custom dimensions are welcome. Exterior patina options include warm honey, antique brown, dark coffee, oxidized green, and polished finishes, while the interior remains a silver-toned tin plating with a subtle matte shimmer. Optional additions such as drain or faucet mount holes can be specified at checkout to suit your plumbing layout.

Installation & Maintenance

This freestanding copper bathtub is designed for surface-mount installation on tiled or concrete floors. Ensure proper support beneath to accommodate its weight when filled. To maintain the tin interior and preserve your chosen patina, simply wipe with a soft cloth and mild soap after each use. Avoid abrasive cleaners. If you wish to maintain the exterior finish, an occasional application of copper wax will preserve the patina, or you may allow it to evolve naturally for a more weathered look.

Copper Tub Specifications

• Configuration: Double slipper tub
• Design: Hand-hammered surface
• Exterior: Antique copper patina
• Interior: Silver tin-plated
• Dimensions: 48"–84" length × 32" width
• Center Height: 24"
• End Height: 32"
• Mount Type: Surface-mount
• Rim: 2" centered
• Drain Opening: 2"
• Faucet Mount: Floor, deck, or wall
• Material: 16-gauge copper shell with tin lining

Handcrafted in Mexico

Each bathtub is forged by skilled coppersmiths in Santa Clara del Cobre, Mexico, a town renowned for its heritage in copper artistry. Using age-old techniques, artisans hand-hammer, shape, and finish every tub individually. The interior tin plating is applied manually, bonding to the copper shell for a unique, soft-metal effect that ensures lasting durability and a one-of-a-kind look.

Conclusion

Elevate your bathroom with a piece that carries centuries of tradition and artisan skill. Our Double Slipper Copper Bathtub with Tin Interior combines the warmth of hand-hammered copper, the silky sheen of tin, and the heritage of Santa Clara del Cobre craftsmanship. Each soak becomes a ritual that connects you to a living legacy of metal artistry and wellness. Experience this heirloom-quality centerpiece in your home today and enjoy free shipping to the U.S. and Canada.

To explore customization options or place your order, visit our Double Slipper Soaking Copper Bathtub product page or request a custom design consultation directly.