The hardware used in making furniture has evolved over time, and becomes
one of your first indications of how old a given piece of furniture
or cabinetry might be. A little knowledge can help you a great deal
when you are purchasing period items. |
| William and Mary Period (1690-1720): Slender teardrop handles of cast brass attached to the furniture by a cotter pin were often used. This was one of the earliest true brasses, replacing the well-known wooden knobs. |
 |
| Queen Anne Period (1720-1750): The brasses were slightly larger and had bail handles (half-circles). Engraved backplates with narrow bails were popular, and bat-winged designs were also evident. |
 |
| Chippendale Period (1750-1785): Chippendale pieces feature large, heavy brasses, some of which had Chinese influence. The escutcheons were of the same size and design as the heavy backplates of the pulls. The willow handle was the most popular design. |
 |
| Federal Period (1785-1815): | |
| Hepplewhite: Oval pulls of stamped brass, with concentric ovals raised on the surface, or with a simple design, such as a cornucopia. |
 |
| Sheraton: Stamped brass pulls with round backplates and round bails were used on this furniture. Rectangular pulls with clipped corners were also popular. The designs were simple and classic in detail. |
 |
| American Federal: The brasses identified with the Hepplewhilte style were the most popular. Patriotic symbols, such as the bald eagle were employed; Another design used was the dove, the symbol of peace. |
 |
| American Empire Period (1815-1840): Much of the hardware of this period displays gaudy ornamentation and animal-type figures. The most popular pull was the lion head with the ring through its nose. Glass and solid brass knobs also came into use. |
 |
| Victorian (1840-1899): The teardrop handle became popular once again, but, unlike the small teardrop handle of the William and Mary period, these were made of wood combined with a stamped brass backplate. Stamped brass hardware and carved wooden handles predominated. Porcelain and wood knobs were also used. |
 |
Larrivee
Designer Hardware
505
South Governors Avenue
Dover,
Delaware 19904
Voice / Fax: 302-674-0220