late 1870's antique american interior residential cast bronze passage size doorknob designed and fabricated by the p.f. corbin hardware co., new britain, ct. the doorknob design patent was issued to g.s. barkenten on july 2, 1879. the drum-shaped doorknob with slightly recessed center is considered to be corbin's first "gothic" style doorknob. features a striking incised "starburst" motif in the center. the quarterfoil motif is found along the outer edge of the doorknob. the recessed rim shares a similar design. original baked black enameled inlay partially intact. mostly uniform surface patina. measures approximately 2 1/4 inches in diameter.