highly sought after salvaged chicago 1870s antique american figural "plumed helmet" entrance door knobset

rare entrance size american victorian era c. 1870's heavy ornamental bronze "plumed helmet" knight figural doorknobs salvaged from a chicago mansion demolished in the 1940s. the exceptionally detailed entrance/passage size doorknobs were designed by ludwig kruzinger for the metallic compression casting co., boston, ma. the design was patented on june 7, 1870. manufacturer markings are incised on the backside of the doorknobs and along the shanks. the doorknobs were fabricated by the metallic compression casting co., boston, ma. surface wear evident. metallic compression manufactured "house trimmings", such as knobs, hinges, escutcheons, bell pulls, along with dies for printing wall paper, and for bookbinders, and a variety of articles. the inventions of charles and michael smith, introduced with complete success into practical operation by the metallic compression casting company at their foundry in bomerville, near boston, revolutionized metallurgic art, so far as casting is concerned. by employing the patented process developed by smith and mason, metal was taken from the mould, not with a rough surface, as in all the heretofore known modes of casting, but as smooth and perfectly finished as a coin or medal struck by a die. priced for the pair.