Featured Antique bronze door handle

Your door handles appear to be commissioned, site-specific architectural hardware that was designed by an important architect of the Art Nouveau period. As such, they would be part of the city's, the country's and the region's cultural heritage. The 1990s were a time of great economic and social unrest in Serbia and they might very well have been removed from the building without authorization and sold for private gain.

Debora

 

How do I know they were stolen? I was searching through internet and was told that my handles "are a catalogue-produced commercial model from around 1895–1910 — meaning thousands were made and sold to builders and private clients" but couldnt find anything.

 

Well, that's important information. Why didn't you share that with us before? And would you be kind enough to share your source?

Debora

 

Tbh I am just searching with a help of AI with the more information I got from here. So its probably not to be 100% trusted info. Its hard to find anything otherwise as the handles dont have any marking on them. I have been trying to look for them in catalogues of manufacturers from that era but most are not digitalized and in the ones that are I didnt find them. I am just trying to find as much info about them as possible.

 

As I thought. Your handles have been matched to those on a branch of the Astro-Hungarian Bank designed by an important Hungarian architect of the Art Nouveau period. They would not have come out of a catalog. They would have been created for that site. The building still stands so the questions, to which we may never have an answer, are... Who removed the pair of door handles your grandfather bought? When? Why? But most importantly... Given they may be important cultural artifacts, what are you going to do with them? This architectural firm did a case study on their survey of the bank's former building. Someone on the project team might have information to share with you.

https://vertexpavilions.com/former-austro-hungarian-bank-in-subotica/

Debora

 

There is no proof they were ever removed, let alone stolen. In fact the handles on the bank in Subotica were still in situ when it was run down, prior to the renovation of the façade in 2015:



https://atlatszo.rs/en/2023/07/06/t...carpathian-basin-also-bought-one-in-subotica/

I think it is likely that architect Ferenc Raichle had several pairs made. Maybe OP's were intended for another bank that was never built.

A bit of the Subotica bank's post-Austro-Hungarian history from the above site:

"After WWI and the transfer of sovereignty the building was given to the National Bank of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1921. Later, in Yugoslavia after WWII, it was nationalised and transferred to the Fidelinka Bread Factory, where the management and administration were located.

Fidelinka’s property, -likewise the movable and immovable assets of most nationalised and then privatised large companies,- was sold off in a bankruptcy process, when the building, which was by then completely run down and devalued, was acquired by a Subotica-based construction company, SMB-Gradnja, which renovated the façade in 2015 in accordance with the regulations on the protection of historical monuments."

 

No, of course, there's no proof of anything and the "who," "why," and "how" really doesn't matter. But I do suggest the OP contact the firm that did the branch's architectural survey. They may know if any exterior (or interior) doors are missing their handles. But regardless, these appear to be cultural/design artifacts and IMHO either belong in an institution or with a collector that will value them.

Debora

 

When I look closely they look similar but not exactly the same. Mine also look longer, they are 34cm long and weight 1.5kg each

 

Comparing the photos, the handles on the bank doors appear quite worn, consistent with regular use. Hazi's retain the ridges on the bodies of the sphinxes. So, if the handles came from the bank, they came from some door that was not as frequently used.

 

I have emailed the local museum about them with pictures attached if they know anything about them.

 

This is the best picture I found and the design looks a little bit different.

 

The could be another design version by Raichle or another designer's interpretation. You're smart to explore further. If your grandfather ever decides to sell, provenance will impact value.

Debora

 

The trim plates do appear to be different -

 

Why don't you provide us with measurements?

Debora

 

I wrote them little bit above. length of the plate is 34cm, length of the sphinx is 14cm and they each weight 1.5kg. For more measurements I would need to visit my grandpa.

 

Thank you and apologies for bothering you. I must have overlooked them. So they're quite substantial in size. (And no need for further measurements.)

Debora

 

Interesting conversations about this. It is good to hear all of the thoughts about it. One thing is certain, it is very near to being unique.

Here's my guess about the difference in the back plate. The design elements in the plates are similar, so the designer may have created different proportioned plates for tall and shorter doors.

It is best used in the environment to which they seem to have been created for. It is worth investigating and contacting the owners of the building first. They may be very interested in buying them.

This is how interesting and even important things are rediscovered. Grandfather received a nice gift. Nicer than just being attractive.

 

As a longtime architectural antique freak, I probably would've ended up in the ER if I'd unwrapped these !

 

If I were to sell them. What would be the best place for that? Preferably online. What do you think would be estimated price for them?

 

You'll need to look on the internet for similar antique handles and form a base price. I'd still investigate the building owners. They are your target audience.