| 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. |
|
