Shell handle brass

A long-established brass foundry in northern France still makes these shell handles, which are just not stamped from thin brass sheet, but cast from the solid material. The company specializes in the manufacture of window, door and furniture hardware. Modern forms are just as much part of the repertoire as a wide range of quite classic models - from them we have selected the shell handles and offer several variants here.

Historically, fittings were intended primarily to increase the usability of a piece of furniture, and were selected primarily for their practical utility. Shields protected against wear in particularly stressed areas such as drawers, latches, corners and edges; door knobs and drawer handles had to be particularly sturdy. The ornamental value of such objects, on the other hand, was only recognized over the course of the centuries - for example, from the 12th century onwards, fittings were produced at all times that had a style-defining effect for their era. Particularly productive was the phase of Art Nouveau with its multitude of playful floral ornaments.

Even so, the emphasis in the following assortment is on the material as well as the origin of the individual items and less on the century from which they come. We avoid cheap imitations from India and China and instead stay in Europe - and there in regions where the production of such equipment was traditionally at home. The glass furniture knobs, for example, are made in a specialized glassmaking workshop in the Fichtelgebirge. All porcelain parts come from the cradle of French porcelain production, from the city of Limoges, and the iron shell handles from an iron foundry in the Ardennes. Finally, the brass furniture plates and handles are still made in Lüdenscheid in Sauerland, a traditional center of metalworking in Germany.

You can use the fittings to embellish an old piece of furniture or replace existing, possibly defective parts with functioning ones, upgrade the long cherished plain flea market find with simple means or perhaps equip a self-made piece of furniture completely new with castors or handles.

Historically, fittings were primarily intended to increase the usability of a piece of furniture; the focal point of their assessment was their practical use. Shields protected drawers, latches, corners, and edges against wear and tear in particularly stressed areas. All door knobs and drawer handles had to be particularly sturdy. The awareness of an ornamental value of such objects, on the other hand, came about later and only over the course of centuries. From the 12th century onwards, you find fittings that had a style-defining effect on their era. The Art Nouveau phase was particularly productive, creating a multitude of dainty floral décor ornaments.

Nevertheless, the emphasis in our assortment is on the material as well as the origin of the individual articles. The century from which the design originates is less important to us. You won’t find cheap imitations from India and China in our selection; on the contrary, you will find products originating in Europe – with an emphasis on regions where the production of such fittings was traditionally at home. For example, the glass furniture knobs in our range come from a specialised glassmaking workshop in the Fichtel Mountains. One and all of our porcelain products derive from the cradle of French porcelain production, from the city of Limoges. And an iron foundry in the Ardennes provides us with the iron teacup handles. Last but not least, we have our pick’s brass furniture plates and handles made in Lüdenscheid in the Sauerland region, a traditional centre of metalworking in Germany.

You can use the fittings to embellish old furnishings or replace existing, possibly defective parts with functioning ones. Upgrade the long-cherished flea market find in a heartbeat. Deck out a self-made piece of furniture with the fittings it deserves: smooth-running castors and charming handles.