About Antique Cabinet Hardware
Antique furnishings can add a sense of history, charm and old world flavor to just about any room, especially if the furnishings also feature antique hardware. Even the most glorious of antiques can look cheap if the fine details are not tended to properly. An array of antique cabinet hardware is on the market to fit any size or style antique cabinet, or you can even make their own with a little creativity. Does this Spark an idea?
Materials
Metal is one of the most popular types of antique cabinet hardware. Brass comes in several options, such as solid brass, solid brass with an antique finish and other metals with a brass finish. Silver, bronze and wrought iron are other options. The metal can be shiny but is more often dulled to give the piece an old-fashioned effect. Some of the silver may be highly polished and darker in some areas for added depth. Other materials include wood, faux or genuine crystals, large faux gemstones, porcelain and thick-colored or milk glass.
Types
Many different types of antique cabinet hardware can be used to embellish a piece. Drawer pulls may consist of a smooth metal piece or one that is elaborately carved. Knobs range greatly in size. A wooden knob is often capped with a decorative metal piece attached. Hinges can have wide, flat bases or spear-shaped edges. Latches are often one of the most elaborate pieces, available in a turn style, slide style and the hoosier variety, which features a small arm that lifts to open the latch. Styles range from the ornate Victorian to the heavy Gothic.
Features
Antique cabinet hardware is usually embellished with ornate designs such as feathered side ends on a hinge or a lion's head on a drawer pull. Fleur de lis, scrolls, geometric patterns and other designs can be directly etched on the knobs, bases or other flat parts of the hardware or made out of metal and attached to the hardware piece. Some of porcelain and wood pieces may also be embellished with a variety of fine, detailed paintings. Flowers, initials or regal profiles and shields are options.
Considerations
Antique cabinets and other furnishing often feature hardware that is not readily found in modern styles, such as a variety of pulls. Bail pulls feature a small handle attached to an often ornate plate. Drop pulls come with a teardrop shaped handle attached to a plate to pull open a door or drawer. Bin pulls usually fit flush against the furnishings with hood-like openings for fingers to grasp and pull. Single and double posts, also used as pulls, feature a round or other shaped metal plate attached to either one or two posts attached to the furniture.
Potential
Outfitting antique cabinets with striking hardware doesn't have to be expensive. It's best to go with reproductions, rather than an original piece of hardware, because these pieces wear out and wear down over time. Several companies specialize in reproductions or you can even make your own from modern hardware you find striking. Covering a modern piece of hardware with an antique patina or paint will work if you want to keep costs down and add more options to your furnishings.
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