Antique Colonial Pulls - Colonial Handles

during the 17th and 18th century Colonial periods hardware styles evolved from small chased designs to more elaborate Chippendale brasses back to simpler bail pulls.

Queen Anne handles typically appear in small sizes with "thin-cast" plates and chased designs. Pulls were originally attached with cotter pins which were fragile and unreliable. Many reproduction handles have substituted these pins with small eye bolts. The results are antique colonial pulls which look authentic and stay securely attached to your furniture.

Chippendale brasses were popular handles used on furniture produced from 1750 - 1785. Willow and maple leaf shaped backplate's were the most frequently used Chippendale pulls. This style was revived in the 1920's and continued to be seen during the 1930s and 1940s on cherry and mahogany dining room furniture, Governor Winthrop slant front desks and bed room sets. Colonial pulls have a solid yet graceful 18th century style which was influenced by French, Rococo, Gothic, and Chinese Chippendale designs.

Chinese Chippendale: As the colonial period progressed a new decorative pierced back-plate was developed influenced by oriental designs. These interesting pierced backplates allowed the beautiful woods of this era to show through the now famous Chinese Chippendale openwork pulls.

Bail Pulls - Rosette Pulls were developed as the colonial period neared an end. The backplate was eliminated - two small rosettes were used in its place. Since the bail pull was developed it has remained a favorite due to its: classic style, multiple sizes and polished or antique finishes. Evidence of this popularity can be seen in the wide use of the rosette pull on antique colonial Chippendale furniture, Victorian, curved front buffets, country cabinets and mahogany dining room furniture from the 1920s.

Queen Anne Pulls

Chippendale pulls

Mock Keys

Chinese Chippendale Handles

Rosette Bail Pulls