This is not quite my normal thing but when you see an exceptional piece, especially by Christopher Dresser, you grab it, whatever the material.  For sale is this exceptional massive cast iron door latch undoubtedly by Christopher Dresser for the firm of Archibald Kenrick & Sons.   Christopher Dresser is thought to have designed for Kenrick c 1878-1884 (Harry Lyons, Christopher Dresser, The People’s Designer, pages 214-5).  This previously unrecorded design has a design registration stamp to the reverse for 1878. The original design drawings held by National Archives are shown in “Other images”.  The design is quite similar to Dresser’s drawings in “Studies in Design” Plate LIV “ornaments to be used as powderings on walls” published in 1876- see images.

Condition is excellent, indeed I am not sure this latch has ever been fitted.

Price range: Reserved

Maker: Archibald Kenrick & Sons

Designer: Christopher Dresser (attributed)

Date: 1878

Marks: Stamped makers and design marks

Material: Cast iron

Condition: Excellent, original

Size: 36.5cm wide, 23 cm max height

Weight: 2.2 kgs, 77,5 oz (heavy!)