original 19th century antique american decorative cast bronze triangular-shaped interior residential doorknob escutcheon designed by joseph a. ruff for the metallic compression casting company located in boston, massachusetts. the finely cast and remarkably detailed doorknob rosette exhibits a nicely aged and uniform surface patina. likely manufactured around 1870 by the russell & erwin mfg co., or perhaps the metallic compression casting co., (mccc) boston, ma. traces of the original gilded finish are found within the recessed regions. 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.