How To Date Old Doors

Antiquarian Door Knobs: Identification and Values of Classic Styles

Megan Cooper

With a B.S. in Public History, Megan is fascinated by vintage & antique items. She is dedicated to preserving history and shares her noesis through LoveToKnow'due south antiques channel.

Historian, B.S. Public History

Whether they're made out of stamped metal, painted porcelain, or cut crystal, antique doorknobs imbue a sense of old-world energy into any home or business organisation that they're found in. Since these doorknobs tin be reused in modern settings, there are many more types of people interested in buying these pieces than just antique collectors. So, if you're wanting to restore an sometime farmhouse or trying to learn a little flake more than near your grandparents' home, take a look at how old types of doorknobs have evolved over fourth dimension, and where you lot can wait to buy 1 today.

Antique Doorknob Shapes

While not all antiquarian doorknobs are perfectly round, they do have a general rounded shape and fit well into the palm of your hand. Some of the primeval sometime-fashioned doorknobs are actually rather pocket-size and come equipped with a long metal rod fastened to the end. Historically, this rod allowed people to stick the knob into the mortise lock mechanism - an incredibly significant development in the history of security and safety - and turn it. Thus, a lot of old doorknobs you lot'll find loosely piled in antiquarian shop bins will come up with these long rods attached. In addition, design features like the rods can help yous identify where and when your antique doorknob is from:

Pressed drinking glass knobs were popularly used betwixt the 1820s to the 1850s.
Cut drinking glass was popularly used during the 1860s through to 1910.
Wooden knobs were used from well-nigh 1885 to 1910.
Imported chinaware knobs were first used in the 1850s.
Cast metal became widely available in the mid-1840s, and and then doorknobs were quickly crafted out of the material
In 1870, a method for pinch casting allowed the Victorians to take the detailed casting indicative of their residential style.

Antique Doorknob Styles

Since the incorporation of doorknobs into edifice blueprint actually took off during the 19^th century - in fact, over 100 doorknob patents were granted between 1830-1870 - doorknobs were crafted out of a variety of dissimilar bachelor materials, like contumely, bronze, gold, steel, porcelain, crystal, and glass. When it comes to antique doorknob identification, hither are some of the different characteristics of historic and vintage doorknobs to be on the lookout for:

Early 19^th Century - On the whole, doorknobs that were used prior to the 1840s were simply designed with functionality in mind.
Victorian Era - This menstruum is considered the height of decorative doorknobs and other residential hardware; doorknobs from this menstruation come in unique shapes, with filigree, scalloping, etchings, hand-painted scenes, and more to decorate their surfaces.
Edwardian Era - Just following the Victorian period, doorknobs made during this time become a fleck more refined and less ostentatious than those made during the previous era.
World War I - Interestingly, World War I directly inspired the widespread use of glass doorknobs due to metal rationing during the period.

Commercial vs. Residential Doorknobs

An important aspect of identifying antique doorknobs is determining what blazon of building the doorknob was intended to exist used for. Commercial residences were more probable to have customized doorknobs such equally ones with concern monograms or logos stamped onto their faces. For example, the St. Nicholas Hotel, which was built during the superlative of the Gold Age, has doorknobs inscribed with its initials, which are accompanied by a Celtic knot motif. Similarly, the socially elite were able to afford luxurious doorknobs encrusted with precious metals and artistry to outfit their extravagant homes.

Antique Doorknob Values

Genuine antique doorknobs tin can be surprisingly expensive, peculiarly since they're often used to maintain former buildings and residences through historic preservation practices. Generally, antiquarian doorknob values are highly dependent on their style, the manufacturer, the materials fabricated to create them, and what period they were created during. On the whole, antique doorknob values tin can range from equally little as $10 to every bit much as $200. Additionally, Victorian doorknobs are specially desirable because of their unique designs. For example, a pair of 1897 Reading Hardware bandage statuary doorknobs is listed by 1 business for a little over $100. Thankfully, there'southward an abundance of historic hardware sellers and businesses that you can buy both authentic antique doorknobs and quality reproductions from, then you shouldn't have whatsoever trouble finding the perfect replacement doorknob for your fixer-upper.

Open Your Eye to Antique Doorknobs

Antique doorknobs acted as the key to historic locks, and they can besides human action as the key to your own heart with their minute design details and old-world charm. And so, whether you're looking to bandbox up your childhood domicile or are looking for a way to customize your modern apartment, browsing for an antique doorknob instead of ownership a boring replacement at the local hardware store is a great way to do so.