Prices for vintage glass knobs vary widely, depending on condition, rarity, style, and color. For the most common, 12-sided molded-glass knobs, expect to pay between $30 and $50 a pair. Sets of six- or eight-sided knobs cost between $60 and $100, while a pair of cut-crystal balls can go for as much as $500.
How old are glass doorknobs?
Glass doorknobs were produced widely for over 50 years! Although the glass part of the knob is the flash and style, a big trick to dating them is in the metal base. The subtle design choices can tell you the difference between a 1900 door knob and a 1940's doorknob.
Are there door knobs with glass hardware?
Some glass hardware already existed, notably cabinet knobs, but nothing in the way of door knobs. These knobs feature a very wide base with steps up to the glass. The knobs are frequently if not exclusively pinned (not like your girl in the 1950's but like a brass nail running through the base to attach the knob to the spindle).
How can you tell how old a door knob is?
Although the glass part of the knob is the flash and style, a big trick to dating them is in the metal base. The subtle design choices can tell you the difference between a 1900 door knob and a 1940's doorknob. These can then tell you are sorts of useful things like "Are these original to my house?" or "are these knobs are from the same set?".
What year did door knobs come in different shapes?
These door knobs also came in a wide variety of glass shapes, although what we see most often are octagonal, shown here . The first twist-on door knob came out right about 1915, give or take a few years. The twist on style revolutionized all door knobs at the time, glass and otherwise.
Are old door knobs worth anything?
Generally, antique doorknob values are highly dependent on their style, the manufacturer, the materials made to create them, and what period they were created during. On the whole, antique doorknob values can range from as little as $10 to as much as $200.
How do you tell the difference between glass and crystal door knobs?
Crystal Doorknob Designs Others may look like an amber faceted bug's eye or have a long angular, crystalline appearance. The glass of antique knobs has a liquid, almost watery look compared with modern reproductions. Some even had etched monograms.
Can you sell old door knobs?
You can also take the metal door knobs to the scrap metal shops. And the good thing is that, depending on the number of metal door knobs you have, you can make some money by exchanging them for cash.
When did they stop making glass door knobs?
Pressed glass knobs were popular from 1826 to 1850. Cut glass knobs were popular until around 1910. Cast metal knobs were introduced in 1846. China and ceramic knobs were imported from Europe and popular from the mid-1800's until the early 1900's.
Are glass knobs in style?
Antique style glass knobs are now making a comeback. They were very fashionable during the early part of the 20th century, but are enjoying newfound popularity.
What can I do with old door knobs?
Here are some ideas of what you could do with old door handles and door knobs:Use them as towel/coat hooks.Turn them into jewellery or tie organisers.Hang photos from them and put them on your walls.Create cork holders.Decorate pet and birdhouses.Feature them in the garden as decorative pieces.More items...•
What era are glass door knobs from?
Glass doorknobs date back to 1826, when the process for pressing molten glass into molds was invented, but they didn't become ubiquitous until after the United States entered World War I, in 1917.
What are my old door knobs made of?
Doorknobs have been made of many materials, including wood, ceramic, glass, plastic and different types of metal. Brass is one of the most popular materials because of its excellent resistance to rust.
How can you tell if a door knob is brass?
0:004:59How to polish brass and how to tell if you have solid brass or plated brassYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo take a magnet. And stick it to the brass. And see if it sticks. If the magnet. Sticks. Then youMoreSo take a magnet. And stick it to the brass. And see if it sticks. If the magnet. Sticks. Then you know you've got brass plated if it won't stick anywhere on there that means that that is solid brass.
When did crystal door knobs become popular?
With the stock market crash in 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression, colored glass knobs were cheap to make and dominated the hardware of the 1930's and 1940's. Glass knobs were available in an array of pretty colors in addition to the most popular clear glass knobs.
Why are doorknobs so low in old houses?
Mimi Miller, director of programs at the Historic Natchez Foundation, said the reason for the low doorknobs is fairly simple — the structure of the door forces it to be that way. “That is where the rail and the stile of the door meet,” she said. “That is the sturdiest part of the door.”
Are leaded glass door knobs safe?
Avoid glass knobs and ceramic knobs: The glass is often actually [very-high-Lead] Leaded crystal (this applies to even newly-manufactured glass items).
How can you tell if its crystal or glass?
Get a glass and hold it up to a light source. You can tell that it is crystal if it creates a rainbow prism effect. If it doesn't, then you are holding just a plain glass. If you tap the glass and you hear a musical ring with a little bit of echo, then it is crystal.
How can you tell lead crystal from glass?
The easiest way to identify lead crystal is by tapping it gently with a knife—if it makes a drawn-out chiming sound, chances are that it's lead crystal. Regular glass tends to make a duller, briefer sound when struck.
What is the difference between glass and crystal?
The primary difference between crystal vs. glass is that crystal glass contains anywhere from 2–30% minerals (lead or lead-free). The key feature of crystal wine glasses is that the minerals strengthen the material, making it possible to produce durable but thin wine glasses.
How can you tell the difference between crystal and glass stone?
When you hold glass up to the light, you won't see a difference, but fine crystal will sparkle in the light. Another way to tell the difference between the two is to touch the objects. Often, crystal will feel heavier than glass due to the lead content.
How much are antique door knobs worth?
On the whole, antique doorknob values can range from as little as $10 to as much as $200. Additionally, Victorian doorknobs are particularly desirable because of their unique designs. For example, a pair of 1897 Reading Hardware cast bronze doorknobs is listed by one business for a little over $100. Thankfully, there's an abundance of historic hardware sellers and businesses that you can purchase both authentic antique doorknobs and quality reproductions from, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding the perfect replacement doorknob for your fixer upper.
Why did people use glass door knobs?
World War I - Interestingly, World War I directly inspired the widespread use of glass doorknobs due to metal rationing during the period.
What are antique door knobs made of?
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 that they're found in. Since these doorknobs can be reused in modern settings, there are many more types of people interested in buying these pieces than just antique collectors.
When were chinaware knobs first used?
Imported chinaware knobs were first used in the 1850s . Cast metal became widely available in the mid-1840s, and so doorknobs were quickly crafted out of the material. In 1870, a method for compression casting allowed the Victorians to have the detailed casting indicative of their residential style. Source.
When did door knobs become available?
Cast metal became widely available in the mid-1840s, and so doorknobs were quickly crafted out of the material
Do antique door knobs have a round shape?
While not all antique doorknobs are perfectly round, they do have a general rounded shape and fit well into the palm of your hand. Some of the earliest doorknobs are actually rather small and come equipped with a long metal rod attached to the end.
