From Royal Palaces to Wartime Innovation: The History of Wooden Door Handles in Denmark
In Denmark’s historic buildings, we find a fascinating story of wooden door handles – a history spanning from royal palaces to wartime resource scarcity. At Søe Jensen & Co., we continue this proud tradition with our collection of exclusive wooden door handles.
The Royal Danish Heritage
At Amalienborg Palace, we find some of Denmark’s finest examples of historic door hardware. These handles, still adorning the royal chambers, testify to the highest standard of Danish craftsmanship through centuries. Similar examples can be found at Marselisborg Palace, where Søe Jensen contributed to the restoration in 2023, providing wooden handles with brass backplates [PHOTO LINK]. Charlottenlund Palace and other royal residences feature wooden door handles on their fine panel doors.
The Technological Evolution of Craftsmanship
Denmark’s first wood lathes from the 1700s marked a new era in door handle production, requiring significantly less energy than metal working, with water power being extensively used. With the arrival of the steam engine in the 1800s, new possibilities emerged as metal lathes became a reality. Metal door handles existed as early as the 1600s, many sand-cast in iron. These early handles were cast and polished without lathe work, often surface-treated with patina or paint, typically in black finish.
A Historic Collection
In our archives, we find the Hansen & Søe Jensen Copenhagen Door Handle Factory catalogue from around 1900. This historic document showcases an impressive collection of wooden door handles, with many design elements still inspiring our contemporary collections. The wooden handles of that era were often crafted from Ebony, Palisander, and White Oak.
Wartime Innovation
During World War I and II, Denmark experienced an acute shortage of brass, as the material was prioritized for ammunition. This led to extensive production of wooden door handles – a period where Søe Jensen & Co. demonstrated remarkable adaptability and innovation. At Godthåbsvej 6, the production and sale of wooden door handles reached unprecedented levels.
Materials of Distinction
Through time, we have experimented with different materials. Particularly interesting was our production of door handles in horn – a material requiring exceptional craftsmanship expertise. Today, we focus on carefully selected wood species that unite aesthetics with durability. With many wood species on the CITES list of endangered species, Søe Jensen & Co. has chosen to work with FSC-certified wood, ensuring that when you purchase wooden handles from us, you’re guaranteed materials from verified, sustainable sources.
Tradition Meets Present
Our current collection of wooden door handles builds on this rich history. Each handle is crafted with respect for tradition, but with modern precision:
- Sand-cast brass fittings
- Sand-cast iron fittings
- Hand-polished surfaces
- Modern durability with lifetime warranty
VIEW OUR WOODEN DOOR HANDLE COLLECTION
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