Door knob

  • Category:

    Glass

  • Creator (Role):

    Bakewell, Page & Bakewells (Probable maker)

    Christian Gobrecht (Design inspiration modeler)

  • Place of Origin:

    Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

  • Date:

    1826-1845

  • Materials:

    Glass (lead); Glass (sulphide); Brass

  • Techniques:

    Pressed

  • Museum Object Number:

    1969.1965


  • Complete Details



Object Number

1969.1965

Object Name

Door knob

Category

Glass

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

Bakewell, Page & Bakewells (Probable maker)
1808-1882

Christian Gobrecht (Design inspiration modeler)
1785-1844

Place of Origin

Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Date

1826-1845

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Signature; On shoulder; In relief "GOBRECHT".

Subjects

Benjamin Franklin

Materials

Glass (lead); Glass (sulphide); Brass

Techniques

Pressed

Dimensions (inches)

5.827 (L) , 2.008 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

14.8 (L) , 5.1 (Diam)

Object Description

Web - 04/22/2013

This colorless lead glass furniture knob is attached to a brass cap with a long metal pin. Embedded in the glass is a white sulphide portrait of Benjamin Franklin signed "GOBRECHT," in raised letters, on the shoulder. The signature refers to Christian Gobrecht (b. 1785 - d. 1844), the third chief engraver of the United States Mint (1840-44).

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Palmer, Arlene. 2004 Artistry and Innovation in Pittsburgh Glass, 1808-1882: from Bakewell & Ensell to Bakewell, Pears & Co.
Published: p. 61, Bakewell, Page & Bakewell, 1826-45
[Book] Palmer, Arlene. 1993 Glass in Early America: Selections from the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum. 425 pp.
Published: no. 416, p. 398
[Article] Palmer, Arlene. 1979 American Heroes in Glass: The Bakewell Sulphide Portraits. American Art Journal. 11 (January)
Published: fig. 21, p. 21
[Book] Palmer, Arlene. 2004 Artistry and Innovation in Pittsburgh Glass, 1808-1882: from Bakewell & Ensell to Bakewell, Pears & Co.
Apsley Pellatt, Falcon Works, London ice plate with head of Franklin sulphide: p. 55, c. 1825