Our designs are British, with each fingerplate carefully made by an original process of cold pressing a metal strip between two shaped steel blocks held in a die-set. This traditional process requires high pressure in order to properly form the designs. Each plate is then hand finished with the same care and attention which would have been lavished on each plate over a hundred years ago.

Our fingerplates are made to fit in with a variety of interiors. The main thing to keep in mind is the width of the stiles (the vertical legs of timber) on your doors, to ensure they can accommodate the width of the plates you fancy.

In addition to chosing a design you like, we are often asked about the finishes we offer.

"Should I chose lacquered or unlacquered?" When these designs were originally produced, quality brass lacquer was simply not available. It is now though, so we offer both lacquered and unlacquered brass plates. Our lacquering is done in Birmingham by a specialist firm, it is invisible and very durable. If you want them to look 'aged, just buy 'unlacquered'; they will soon dull-down. Or, to quickly achieve an 'aged' look, use Liberon's 'Tourmaline Brown'; phone your local DIY stores to find some. We recommend 'lacquered' on doors painted in light colours and 'unlacquered' for darker doors, oak or stripped-pine doors - but really, the choice is totally yours! Go with what you like.

"And which is better - brass or copper?" Well, that really depends. For "the look", some people feel that nothing beats the dark, dull finish of copper. For others, they much prefer the golden glow of brass. The important thing to remember is that copper plates are softer than brass so they are more susceptible to damage during use. If you are worried about damage in use, we suggest ordering an additional plate in brass, and sandwich the brass plate between the copper plate and the door to provide extra strength to the pattern. Owing to our stringent manufacture process, we currently sell the copper ones unlacquered in designs No. 1 and No. 3 only.

Design No. 1 - "SOVEREIGN" Originally from a Late-Victorian house and looks superb in any Victorian décor. Customers with Georgian interiors often use this one as well. Measures approximately 11 1/4" x 2 15/16" (286mm x 75mm). Available in brass or copper.

Design No. 2 - "VISCOUNT" Also from a Late-Victorian house – however, this style came into vogue in later years – particularly over the Edwardian era. Perfectly suited to a late-Victorian, Edwardian or Georgian décor. Measures approximately 11 1/4" x 3" (285mm x 76mm). Available in brass only.

Design No. 3 - "DUCHESS". This sought after classic design dates from 1908. Just right for late-Victorian and Edwardian décors and perfect for any interiors with an Art Nouveau influence. These plates also look wonderful in modern buildings (as long as the door frames are wide enough to take them). Measures approximately 11" x 3 1/32" (279mm x 77mm). Available in brass or copper.

Design No. 4 - "PRINCESS" Entitled “Woman with Doves”, this design was discovered on a plate from a Victorian home. Depicting a classical figured design against a slightly stippled background, this plate is suited to a traditional interior. Measures approximately 10 7/16" x 3" (265mm x 76mm). Available in brass only.