Update Spet. 2016: I saw another one of these on ebay — and it’s Howard Pierce. The ebay listing also had a doorbell cover!
Vintage front door escutcheon designs are pretty rare to begin with — but have you ever seen one like this before? Pam spotted this lovely woddity: a midcentury door plate escutcheon with an Evelyn Ackerman-esque (?) bird design on ebay. We have never seen this design before. It may be a rare bird indeed — not just because of its unusual and attractive design, but also because of its massive size — a full 16 inches tall!
The door plate features two lovely abstracted birds sitting on an angular tree. Just look at the fabulous detail on this piece, it’s a true work of art for your front door.
From the eBay listing description:
Mid century door escutcheon plate in the manner of Evelyn Ackerman. Not sure of maker/manufacturer though. Very cool and unique item.
It looks like there is a maker mark carved into the back side of the escutcheon, what do you think it says? Pierce? Piere? Pierre? I can’t quite make it out. Does anyone recognize it?
Update Sept. 2014 — Howard Pierce!
Personally, I’d love to have this piece, for my front door or to use as a piece of wall decor inside. It is fabulous!
Mega thanks to eBay seller levialaska for allowing us to feature her photos of this unique piece.
- And…. want more info on where to buy these new? See our story, 3 places to buy midcentury modern style door plates – including a DIY idea
Holland VanDieren says
I think it was cast by Pier Foundry in Minnesota. Howard Pierce was a ceramics manufacturer.
Dave says
It’s definitely Howard Pierce, as he displays it in the “metal work” section on his own website.
http://howardpierceceramics.com/Howard_Pierce_Ceramics/pictures-plus/metal-work.html
Karen says
It immediately reminded me of the Franciscan pattern Bird ‘n Hand from the late 60s. Those are the dishes I grew up with. What a lovely find.
Rebecca prichard says
It looks Celtic to me.
Scott says
Love this. The mid-century home just can’t have enough birds. Brass, glass, ceramic, wood, bring it! 🙂
The width of this would work on a narrower offsets you seem to have to accept on even the most authentically retro-styled new doors too.
Passerby says
I’ve seen this one in the wild! It was on a side door of a mid-sixties California ranch that had been gutted and flipped. The flippers had been too lazy to bother removing it. The house made me sad, but I loved the door! The matching knob was round, similar to the ones that Pam posted in the pic above.
pam kueber says
woot!
Roundhouse Sarah says
Put a bird on it! ( sorry I just love that Portlandia sketch)
But truly, everything is better with a bird on it, especially this escutcheon.
Robin, NV says
Ooh I love this! My local bulk fabric store has some drapery fabric that would work with this to make a South American themed living room – it has stylized llamas and birds on it. Every time I see it, I wish I had a use for it.
Also just realized that the “3 sources for midcentury door escutcheons” image has an escutcheon that looks just like mine – bottom of the middle column (square brass). When I replaced my front door, I insisted that my contractor save the old escutcheon and install it on the new door. It’s simple but I love it.
midmichigan says
It’s cool for sure. It might have been produced by this foundry but I’m not sure. They’ve been around a long time.
http://www.pierfoundry.com/About_Us/History.aspx
Mary Elizabeth says
Beautiful! It looks like it would go nicely on the door of a prairie style home, any early to mid 20th century bungalow, or a Southwestern rancho. I think it would look cool on one of a set of double doors, as an asymmetrical arrangement.
pam kueber says
Oh, I think it is 100% midcentury modern!