Antique Fingerplates | Period Pushplates

Fingerplates, Pushplates and their History

Fingerplates (also known as push plates) were popular between approximately 1850 and 1950. They served two purposes. Firstly to protect doors from greasy fingers that would ultimately damage wood and paintwork - the brass and copper plates would be cleaned daily. Secondly, they were seen as a means of the designers of hardware at that time expressing their artist abilities which is why they were often seen in quite elaborate and pretty designs. The copper plates were made from pressed copper and so very thin which has made removal from old doors very difficult - most originals end up broken and bent and get thrown away my unsuspecting builders.

Our collection of reproduction fingerplates are available in some popular designs and some are created in the authentic manner - being in 'pressed brass' (so thin and light weight - but sturdy once in position). others are cast and therefore solid, heavier and flat.

Our finishes include polished brass, aged brass and nickel plated brass. Also the extremely popular ceramic fingerplates seen extensively in houses dating upto the present day.

Willow & Stone - Quality Period Door Furniture and Paraphernalia for the Home and Garden, based in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Willow & Stone supplies architectural ironmongery door knobs for period, classic and contemporary homes including restoration hardware, door knobs and lever handles, door knockers, letterplates and letterbox, escutcheons, fingerplates and window fittings, window catches and casement stays, replica and reclaimed for those keen to reinstate period features into their houses. Outdoor and indoor lighting, fishing lights, barn lamps, enamelware, willow baskets and log baskets. garden sundries and bird feeders, for characterful and eclectic homes and restoration products.

Door knobs in antique brass, polished nickel, glass, porcelain, ceramic, forged iron and steel, lever handles, forged pulls, cabinet knobs and cabinet fittings, drawer pulls, old fashioned butler bells, pushes and pulleys, toilet locks. French enamel house numbers are one of our specialities. Antique letterplate and letterboxes (Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Edwardian) door knockers and centre knobs and pulls.

Farrow and Ball paint, Bold and Noble prints, Cavallini stationery, Belle and Boo, Donna Wilson, Elsy and Vine, Kate McLelland, Alice Melvin, Town Talk Polish, Prices Candles, Famille Summerbelle, Newgate Clocks, Nkuku, Burgon and Ball and Trevarno soaps are some popular stocked brands.