Antique Door Knobs

Antique door knobs are an excellent way to bring a bit of old-world charm to your home. Not only can you spruce up your childhood home, you can also use them in a contemporary apartment. Depending on your tastes, you can choose knobs that are made from pressed glass, cut glass, or even cut crystal.

When buying door knobs, make sure to look at the shank diameter. It should be slightly smaller than the inside collar diameter. For example, the diameter of a door knob should be slightly smaller than the inside collar diameter of a rosette. If you do not have the funds to buy an antique knob, consider replacing it with a replica.

There are many sites on the internet where you can purchase antique door knobs. Be sure to keep track of the prices of the knobs you are interested in. You can also attend live auctions and stay active in online forums to learn about the latest deals. It will pay off to spend some time researching the antique door knobs you’re interested in buying.

You can also purchase a book about antique door knobs. A landmark 1983 book called Victorian Decorative Art features hundreds of black and white photographs of door knobs. The author, Len Blumin, was an avid doorknob collector, and the book organized all of the knobs into design categories. The book was then followed by two more editions edited by Win Applegate. These books are a great resource for the antique door knob collector’s interest.

Glass knobs were popular in the early 20th century. They featured a mirrored starburst center. These knobs were popular and can be mined like diamonds in flea markets and salvage yards. Most glass knobs from the first half of the 20th century were made to last and were mounted on brass or steel shanks.

Antique door knobs can be expensive, but their value depends on several factors. The materials used, the style, and the time period of creation all contribute to their value. Victorian doorknobs, for example, are especially desirable and can be as expensive as $200 or more. Their distinctive decoration and intricate designs make them very desirable.

While the first glass doorknobs were created in the 1830s, they didn’t become ubiquitous until after World War I. Until World War I, metal doorknobs dominated the hardware market. However, World War I cut down on the supply of metal and glass, forcing glass makers to manufacture glass knobs in large quantities.