Balance cock (traditional)

^{(In French: coq ancien)}

Originally, that is in the sixteenth century, balance cocks had a simple, elongated form and were secured in their centre by a key. In the eighteenth century they were decorated with elaborate chasing and engraved with animals, flowers, leaves, human heads, etc.

The majority of these balance cocks could be distinguished by their form:

• English, which were round with a large fastening foot.
• French or Continental, which were round or oval with lateral lugs for the fixing screws.