Architectural Antiques

Once upon a time, before buildings were cheaply mass-produced of little more than sawdust and glue, most architecture was built to last centuries. Prior to the mid-20th century, home builders relied on local materials and time-tested techniques to craft houses that were suited to their particular environment. More recently, as these older buildings have been remodeled, repaired, or bulldozed, remnants of this architectural heritage are often salvaged or repurposed. Until the early 19th century, architectural accessories were typically designed for functionality rather than their ornamental appeal. American blacksmiths crafted most antique metal hardware from wrought iron or, later, cast iron, while higher-end pieces were shipped from overseas. However, the blockade of U.S. ports during the War of 1812 turned into a boon for American-made building suppliers as entrepreneurs launched small businesses to sell goods previously imported from Europe. As the newly popular Greek Revival building style spread across the young country, specialty decor in carved stone and cast bronze, as well as wooden ornaments, proliferated. Eventually, more romantic architectural styles spread as a contrast to the uniformity of classical designs, including Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, and Eastlake. The most luxurious buildings utilized silver- or gold-plated fixtures alongside custom stained-glass windows illuminating grand staircases lined with balustrades of exotic hardwoods and hanging gas chandeliers. Doors were hung with elaborate hinges and closed with surface-mounted locks opened via decorative latches or brass knobs. In the latter 19th century, as the American glass industry boomed, doors and cabinets were often fitted with cut or pressed glass door knobs. The majority of architectural antiques found today were produced during the Victorian Era, when fine architectural craftsmanship was adapted to mass-production methods improved by the Industrial Revolution. Charles Eastlake's 1868 book "Hints on Household Taste" helped to popularize the idea of ornate hardware for middle-class Americans, and firms like Russell & Erwin began manufacturing such designs in bulk. As electricity and air conditioning became increasingly common, new pieces of decorative hardware were designed, such as push-button light switches and latticed brass vents. With catalogs and mail-order businesses booming, customers could now order elaborate windows, wooden trim, faucets, door knobs, and much more at relatively affordable prices. The shift toward mass-production finally reached its zenith in the early 20th century, when entire houses could be purchased as kits from companies like Sears Roebuck & Co., which sold numerous lines of prefabricated homes.