Antique door knobs are not just useful, but they also have a rich history and add beauty to the house. They reflect the craftsmanship and design of past times. They give a tour of the different eras in the past, and you can learn about different designs and styles of specified periods. If you find an old door knob, you may want to know if it's an antique and how much it's worth.
You should know the materials, styles, and construction methods of past times. Antique doorknobs, made of various materials like metal, porcelain, or crystal, bring an old-world charm to any modern setting, which makes door knobs very attractive for buyers and antique collectors.
This guide will help you recognize antique door knobs by explaining the types of materials used and specific design styles. By the end, you will better understand and identify these unique items.
Identification Methods Of Antique Door Knobs
When identifying old-style door knobs, many individuals can recognise their typical appearance, but some people need help to identify authentic antique styles. That’s why it is necessary to examine different unique features when you are checking the antique door knob for its antique properties.
Shapes Of Antique Door Knobs
Most of the antique doorknobs have round shapes but not perfectly round. These door knobs are the size of your palm and fit perfectly in your hand. But some of the door knobs are small in size and have a long metal rod attached to the end.
In the past, people used a mortise lock mechanism, and a rod attached to the end of door knobs mainly was used in this mechanism. This mechanism was important in that era because it was the first security system. The rod is used to rotate the lock mechanism.
Design Of Antique Door Knobs
Characteristics such as the rods attached to door knobs can help you determine the origin and period of your antique doorknobs. Following are the different designs that represent the antique nature:
Pressed Glass Knobs: These door knobs were very popular in the period of 1820s to 1850s. These door knobs had engraved different designs on the glass.
Cut Glass Knobs: These were popular from 1860 to 1910. They had faceted designs that made them reflect light and had a sparkling effect.
Wooden Door Knobs: These knobs were specifically used from 185 to 1910. They were made from wood, and different designs were engraved on it.
Imported Chinaware Door Knobs: These Knobs were used in the 1850s. They were typically white or black but also had some other color variations.
Cast metal Door Knobs: In the mid-1840s, this material was widely spread. It had the property of quickly casting door knobs.
Victorian Style Door Knobs: In 1870, Victorians had a residential style in which they created door knobs from compression casting.
Styles Of Antique Door Knobs
Doorknobs became a popular part of building design in the 19th century, with over 100 door knob permits granted between 1830 and 1870. They were made from various materials such as:
- Brass
- Bronze
- Gold
- Steel
- Porcelain
- Crystal
- Glass
When identifying antique doorknobs, it's important to look for different characteristics that differentiate historic door knobs. The following are different styles in different periods:
19th Century: Before the 1840s, door knobs were primarily designed for functionality. There was no specificity in designs till then.
Victorian Time Period: During this time, decorative door knobs and other residential hardware were famous and used everywhere. Door Knobs from this period have unique shapes and are decorated with filigree, scalloping, etchings, hand-painted scenes, and more.
Edwardian Time Period: After the Victorian period, the door knob style completely changed from shining material to elegant and soft looks.
World War I Time Period: During this time period, door knobs nature became glassy. The glass doors were widely spread because the amount of metal was limited during this duration.
Art Deco Time Period: The Art Deco movement started in the 1920s and continued till 1930s. This style had geometric shapes, bold lines, and symmetrical structures. Door knobs made with glass had faceted designs. Door knobs made with metal had sleek and modern. If you find a door knob with geometric shapes and bold lines, then it is from the Art Deco period.
Colonial Revival Time Period: Door knobs were simply round shaped and had a minimal design in the early 20th century because of the duration of the Colonial Revival movement, and it revised all the designs from the 18th century.
Difference Between Commercial And Residential Antique Door Knobs
It must be noted that you have to find out that antique door knobs are from commercial areas or residential areas. In the past, most of the commercial buildings had door knobs with the company name initials. You can quickly identify that the door knob belongs to some commercial areas.
On the other hand, wealthy families had customised door knobs and had different beautiful engraved designs on the door knobs.
Worth Of Antique Door Knobs
Old-fashioned door handles can be expensive, mainly because they are often used to maintain old buildings and homes through historic preservation methods. The value of old-fashioned door handles depends on their design, the maker, the materials used, and when they were made. Generally, old-fashioned door handles can be worth anywhere from $10 to $200.
Conclusion
From this comprehensive guide, you can identify antique door knobs. It requires careful observation and thorough investigation. Examining the material, design, styles, construction, and period allows you to gather important information about the handle's age and where it came from. If you are a history lover, then you can quickly identify the antique door knobs by using the above methods and your observation. With the help of this article and your observation, you can take a tour of the history of door knobs.