A bail handle, or simply bail, is a

handle A handle is a part of, or an attachment to, an object that allows it to be grasped and object manipulation, manipulated by hand. The design of each type of handle involves substantial ergonomics, ergonomic issues, even where these are dealt wi ...

that consists of an open loop that moves freely within two fixed mounts or ''ears''. It is a type of metal or plastic

package handle Package handles, or carriers, are used to help people use packaging. They are designed to simplify and to improve the ergonomics of lifting and carrying packaging, packages. Handles on consumer packages add convenience and help facilitate use an ...

used for carrying such items such

tin can A steel can, tin can, tin (especially in British English, Australian English, Canadian English and South African English), or can is a container made of thin metal, for distribution or storage of goods. Some cans are opened by removing the to ...

bucket A bucket is typically a watertight, vertical Cylinder (geometry), cylinder or Truncation (geometry), truncated Cone (geometry), cone or square, with an open top and a flat bottom that is attached to a semicircular carrying handle (grip), handle ...

s, or

kettle A kettle, sometimes called a tea kettle or teakettle, is a device specialized for boiling water, commonly with a ''lid'', ''spout'', and ''handle''. There are two main types: the ''stovetop kettle'', which uses heat from a cooktop, hob, and the ...

s, or as a form of

drawer pull A drawer pull (wire pull or simply pull) is a handle to pull a drawer out of a chest of drawers, cabinet or other furniture piece. A drawer pull often includes an escutcheon plate to (or through) which the handle is fastened. The handle ma ...

. A bail handle can also be used to hang items such as IV bottles and potted plants. A flip-top closure on a bottle or jar is sometimes called a ''bail closure''. Decorative bail handles appeared on pieces of French

Rococo Rococo, less commonly Roccoco ( , ; or ), also known as Late Baroque, is an exceptionally ornamental and dramatic style of architecture, art and decoration which combines asymmetry, scrolling curves, gilding, white and pastel colours, sculpte ...

furniture Furniture refers to objects intended to support various human activities such as seating (e.g., Stool (seat), stools, chairs, and sofas), eating (table (furniture), tables), storing items, working, and sleeping (e.g., beds and hammocks). Furnitur ...

during the early 18th century. These handles on drawers were rounded and hinged onto an escutcheon plate and hung down in the shape of a half moon or arch. Due to being hinged, they were able to move up and down and they were usually elaborately decorated.

Examples

File:Balde.PNG, Plastic yellow pail or bucket File:Red Wing Pottery 2006 109 1.jpg, American stoneware jug File:Comes in a paint can size (1576631619).jpg, Paint can with bail handle File:Working old man carrying buckets.jpg, Similar plastic pails with different styles of plastic bail handles File:Cyclophosphamide iv.jpg, Plastic handle (hanger) for glass IV bottle

References

Books

* Yam, K.L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, * Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002, Cabinets (furniture) History of furniture Furniture Rococo art Packaging {{Furniture-stub