exceptionally made 19th century antique american compression cast ornamental bronze doorknob fabricated by the metallic compression casting co., boston, ma. design patent 4131 was issued for this doorknob on june 7, 1870. the artist was j.j.c. smith for the metallic compression casting company. the banded rim doorknob features very crisp floral motif detailing within the sunken sunken center. maker markings incised on the backside of the doorknob. nicely aged and uniform surface patina left untouched. 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. measures approximately 2 1/4 inches in diameter.