Choosing Style Antique Door Knobs

Jul 18
08:17

2011

Mark Vinnie

Mark Vinnie

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Antique door knobs are a functional, stylish accent to almost any decor. Many antique glass door knobs are absolutely stunning and sure to become a conversation piece in your home. In fact, the fun part is the story behind the piece – often these knobs come from mansions, and can have fabulous, compelling back stories.

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Believe it or note,Choosing Style Antique Door Knobs Articles there was a time when people couldn’t wait to trade in their ornate, Art-Deco inspired antique for smooth orbs of nickel and copper. If only they knew what we do now! Antique brass door knobs are extremely popular today and replicas abound in home improvement centers throughout America.

The earliest known door handles date back over 5,000 years and vary widely in form, design, and materials. Throughout history, the materials used to make door hardware are as varied as the their designs. Copper, brass, silver, and even wood have been used with varying degrees of popularity. Plain round and egg shaped knobs dominated the early market – it wasn’t until that late 19th century that design began to play a role, and decorative knobs began to be seen.

Victorian era door handles were generally made from cast bronze, typically featuring a 2 or 3 piece design. Often the metal smiths would imprint intricate unique designs on the surface of the metal, making them collector’s items today. Steel locks and non-rusting finishes were also introduced during this time period.

Wooden door handles were the quite common in the late 18002s, but were soon replaced by knobs created by ceramic materials. Kiln-fired potters clay was also a popular material used during this time period. These knobs have a unique feel and weight; today they are considered a collectors item.

Glass door handles were considered a luxury; their elegance and aristocratic feel made them extremely popular well into the early 20th century.  There were several common design trends, ranging from hexagonal to flowery. Various colors were inserted into the designs, including dark green soft pink and amethyst. In the 19602s, manganese was added to he manufacturing process, which created a never-before-possible brilliance. These manganese door handles are extremely rare today, and tend to be quite valuable.

Today, people are rediscovering the charm and timeless elegance of older homes. Often the owners of older homes will want to install antique door hardware into their doors and find that newer doors simply aren’t compatible with older knob sets. The solution? Look for design-appropriate back plates, also known as roses. There are sizes and designs for almost any antique door handle dilemma.

While genuine antiques can be quite expensive, persistent bargain hunters can often find the perfect antique crystal door knobs for their home in antique stores and flea markets. However, the best selection and most competitive pricing for antique door knobs is found online.