Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/853

 1869.] Descriptions. 689 BRONZE DOOR-KNOBS. AMONGST the many improvements introduced, to beautify and adorn the better class of city dwellings and stores, Copper-Bronze Door-Furniture occupies a noticeable place. It is presented in a number of styles for door-knobs : the Medallion, Scroll, Gothic, and the Cross, or " T," Handle ; and there is a variety of Key Escutch- eons, connected and otherwise, for Front, Vestibule, and Parlor-Sliding, or Swing- ing, Doors. There are also many pat- terns of Hinges, Bell-Pulls, Shutter- Bars, Sash-Lifts, Bell-Levers and Sash- Fastenings. Electrotype Copper-Bronze requires no cleaning. The action of the atmos- phere and the lapse of time tend only to heighten the effect aimed at in their manufacture ; and whilst the cost is less than that of silver plating, the durability is greater ;. for the sheet of bronze, thrown into the mould by the battery, is thicker by many times, than the sheet of silver used in silver-plating. Silver-plating, still preferred by some, contrasts finely with a walnut door ; but it must be cleansed ; and it is impossi- ble to clean the silver without discolor- ing the door in the vicinity of the mount- ings. Copper-bronze door-furniture would be nothing without walnut doors ; and much as we admire copper-bronze, we must not lose sight of Walnut. Many of the doors and jambs made of this ma- terial are marvels of beauty in style, proportion, and finish. Architects have exercised their utmost skill, and joiners theirs, to produce some of the doors that have been hung in this city during the past season. There are residences in which the front, vestibule, and parlor doors, with their casings and hangings, have cost enough to build a complete dwelling, which the workman, who made the doors, would think very respectable and comfortable. Hard, close-grained walnut is the kind for doors. It is costty to have them made of carefully-selected wood ; but fine doors are an important part of a fine house. " Well supplied with all the modern conveniences," is the usual end of all recommendations and advertisements of messuages for sale or to let. The old style was: "Substantially built, dry cellar, and good water convenient." A home, with "modern conveniences," means one built substantially enough to last until the fashion changes, or en- croaching business requires alteration, or removal, of the tenement, with a dry cellar, kept dry by a large furnace or two, no stint of coal, good water, so con- venient as to be found, both hot and cold, in almost every room in the build- ing, and many other things, not dreamed of by the house owners or property agents of the olden time, such as gas, baths, water-closets, dumb-waters, speak- ing-tubes and bells, until it is a living made very easy, so far as the pile is concerned, by the combined ingenuity and labor of the architect, the builder, and their host of attendant satellites. The mistress of one of these fine man- sions hardly looks at her own premises : for everything must be kept in perfect order, without any apparent care on her part ; and, with her bell and speaking- tube, from her boudoir, or dressing- room, to the servants' hall, she gives her orders for the day, herself neither seeing nor being seen. And, indeed, between receiving and making calls, dressing, dining, napping, and the opera or concert, there is left her but little time, and less thought, for the cares of a household. It is under these circum- stances, that copper-bronze and walnut are invaluable improvements for the great world : — they are the most recent and highest styles, and kept from the appearance of soil and tarnish with the least labor. Electrotype, copper-bronze door-fur- niture, and indeed, all electrotyping, arose in this way : About forty years