HANDCRAFT AT ITS BEST – Fittings made by master craftsmen

Furniture fittings have been an art form in their own right since the Renaissance. When collectors of antique furniture need replicas that are true to the original, contact the brass caster Heinz Tesch in Berlin-Köpenick.

Heinz Tesch rummages through yellowed sheets of paper with drafts of garlands from a drawer, wreaths and eagles. "All from Schinkel", he assures. Prussia's most important architect (1781-1841) wasn't too bad, To create decors for the furniture of his time. Approximately 3000 Designs of fittings 200 For years, Heinz Tesch has been hoarding in his workshop in Berlin-Köpenick.

The drawn laurel branches, Engel, lion heads, swans, Ribbons, figures of gods, Masks and amphorae are his working capital. Cast in metal, they shine on rococo chests of drawers, on Empire cupboards and enhance unadorned Biedermeier furniture. Heinz Tesch also masterfully restores damaged mantel clocks or chandeliers made of metal with his cast gems. antique dealers, For collectors and monument conservators, the reproductions of the industry are not good enough. Her insider tip is Heinz Tesch (67). The metal caster and master goldsmith is one of the few craftsmen in Germany, who have mastered the art of brass. With precision he crafts replicas out of gold, Bronze, brass and pewter. The metal for the casting is melted behind a heavy iron door of the electric crucible furnace. The master tilts the yellow glowing metal into the outer form in a flash. Durch dünne Kanäle fließen Zinn, Brass or bronze into the prepared sand mold, which can only be used once. As did his ancestors before 100 years he builds a special sand mold for each casting, which only exists in a few places in Europe. The small works of art are then lovingly carved, patinated, polished, silver or gold plated. A baroque chest of drawers with six handles and three key plates made of gilded bronze is not cheap, but their price of around 600 worth euros.

Castles, lion heads & Co.
Replicas of antique fittings can, of course, also be purchased ready-made. The spectrum ranges from door handles from different stylistic eras to rustic locks and door hinges made of brass, Iron and old tinned. You can see a small selection of furniture signs and handles from Frehe in the picture at the top. A dresser fitting with a brass keyhole costs 9 Euro. The company Antic offers a similar program & Deco an. She also provides door knockers (lion head 55 Euro) and mail slots (in Art Nouveau for 83 Euro) made of brass. The Strassacker art foundry combines tradition and modernity with its bronze products. Entire collections are made from a single source here.
Die Series „Senso“ (right) includes sets with handles (a 300 Euro) or knob, mailboxes, bell and outdoor lights. The patina is only external, the locks are equipped with modern security technology.