skillfully-executed 19th century american victorian era ornamental cast bronze residential doorknob backplate fabricated around 1874-76 by the p. & f. corbin co., new britain, ct. the highly stylized and sophisticated backplate retains the original ornamented swinging keyhole cover. a mostly uniform black enameled inlay accentuates the high quality casting detail. the backplate exemplifies corbin's mastery of artistic expression.