Today — a new discovery — two retro style escutcheons available exclusively from Liz’s Antique Hardware — here — and here. We already know that Rejuvenation offers midcentury modern style door backplates in starburst designs, a Brutalist doorplate and several minimalist geometric options. With these newly discovered options from Liz’s Antique Hardware, our count for retro door escutcheons on the market today not comes to eight — plus Roundhouse Sarah explained how she made one DIY. Let’s take a closer look at Liz’s designs…
Each style is cast in brass and available in three metal finishes, chrome, polished chrome and satin bronze. The sputnik design above measures a whopping 11″ tall and 8.5″ wide. It retails for $145.
The starburst design is 7″ high and 3.5″ wide. It sells for $95. I contacted Liz’s Antique Hardware to ask why they started manufacturing these reproductions, and to ask if they fit most modern door sets. Terri, who is in charge of the company’s reproduction hardware sales, replied:
Thanks for asking about our reproduction mid-century door plates. We sell vintage hardware circa 1850 to 1970, as well as reproduction and contemporary hardware, and about ten years ago our customers began asking for mid-century door hardware. We had trouble finding original mid-century oversized door plates, so we decided to manufacture our own line. These pieces are designed to fit most Schlage and Kwikset knobs.
Its great to have so many options, isn’t it? Thanks, Liz’s Antique Hardware, for bringing these to market!
Randerson says
Cool designs, but crazy pricey!
Being a strictly decorative item, ultimate quality might be, to some, of somewhat less importance than, say a functioning mechanical part, and guaranteed, these could easily be made overseas and sold for 1/3 that or less in cast brass, or for well under $10, if in stamped and brass or chrome plated steel, which is what many door handles are made of anyway! $100+ is a heckuva lot for more and more folks these days, especially for a non-essential item. And while we all prefer to see things US made, this is one of the reasons why some jobs have disappeared. Maybe they, or someone else, could introduce an affordable line of MCM door hardware? Seems like a good opportunity for someone.
pam kueber says
Yes, but this is a niche item. Rejuvenation also has them, at similar prices.
Want to DIY one? See this story — https://retrorenovation.com/2012/11/05/a-groovy-front-porch-makeover-on-a-budget-for-sarahs-1964-round-house/
RetroCorning says
It’s funny these articles always seem to come up right when we are working on them here at our retro ranch.
Just started stripping our mid century door to install that we picked up at a ReStore last fall. Couldn’t believe it when we found this beauty buried in the back with the original hardware intact.
http://atonwa.blogspot.com/2014/04/stripped-new-front-door.html
Kate says
Wow, that’s a cool door and it still has the original hardware too — double score!
Scott says
That chrome plated starburst/gun sight is breathtakingly beautiful. Sadly its too wide to fit on any of my interior or exterior doors. However I’m so instantly obsessed with it I may need to find some other way to use one. Wow.
pam kueber says
These come up vintage on ebay, Scott — set up your Search terms!
Mary Elizabeth says
Scott, I have been thinking for a couple of days on this. If you collected a few of the escutcheons and couldn’t fit them on your doors, you could install a mirror in the center of each one, glue one of those command hooks on the back and hang them on the wall as a group. What do you think, people?
pam kueber says
I think they also make lovely picture frames…. I made a collage to fit in one!
Sandra says
At 8.5″ wide, I guess you need a centered doorknob or one that is further from the edge of the door.
The narrower one might work on my door, but I wonder if it will look funny.
Paula Webb says
I would highly recommend Liz’s. They have wonderful stuff (both new and used). Their website does a great job of featuring their reproduction items, but that doesn’t even begin to cover the salvage items they carry. If you have something specific that you are looking for you can email them pictures and they will see what they have (I have never seen so many wrought iron wall sconces in my life!)
cellen says
But why is everything that is groovy so expensive?!
Ellen says
I agree! They have very cool stuff but thank goodness for salvage yards! 🙂
Mary Elizabeth says
These are like little works of art, aren’t they? I especially like the more matte chrome finish. After Laurie Louise’s comment, I now wonder if they are meant for the inside of the front door or the outside.
Allen says
Most houses you see them on the outside. They can certainly be used on the inside doors as well but these were extra expense to the homeowner and only those with extra to spend would have done this.
Maureen Bajeyt says
Do you know if they can be used with a deadbolt set?
Laurie Louise says
Mary Elizabeth, this inspires me to get one for the outside of the door as well!
Laurie Louise says
Thanks for sharing this find, Pam. FYI, the bronze-finish starburst escutcheon looks exactly like the one on the inside of the front door of our new 1961 (mostly) time capsule.
Laurie Louise says
My apologies, Kate! I didn’t read the attribution before commenting. Thanks for a great resource!
Janet in CT says
These are fantastic and surely I am going to get one! Always great to see what is turning up on Retrorenovation!