Handcrafted hardware company Art & Forge debuts the Williamsburg Collection, partnering with the iconic heritage nonprofit brand Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The new collection brings together the creativity of two esteemed Virginia-based companies, creating a historically inspired offering that provides a fresh take on design elements rooted in storytelling.
The collection consists of three distinct designs drawn directly from the archives and legacy of Colonial Williamsburg, one of the most respected centers for historical craftsmanship and design preservation in the world. Inspired by 18th-century forms that prized beauty, proportion and lasting quality, every piece is made from solid brass, a material chosen for its durability, inherent warmth and patina that develops over time.
The Williamsburg Collection includes:
James: Inspired by 18th-century furniture hardware, the James line draws on the enduring elegance of beading and coining—decorative details originally designed to catch and reflect candlelight in dimly lit rooms. These finely worked edges brought a quiet brilliance to interiors, adding shimmer and depth in environments defined by shadow and glow.
Today, the same principles of proportion and restraint give James its timeless appeal. In modern spaces with moody palettes or understated lighting schemes, these subtle details create moments of texture and reflection—a nod to history that feels entirely at home in contemporary interiors.
The knob features a gently raised dome, and decorative banding adds sculptural interest that beautifully catches the light. The pull is defined by two finely detailed bands of beading and coining, framing a gently rounded center. This subtle curvature feels as considered in the hand as it looks on the cabinet.
Wren: The Wren line reimagines elegant oval knobs discovered in the archaeology lab at Colonial Williamsburg, transforming a historic artifact into a statement of refined craftsmanship.
The proportions of this artifact were perfect and were therefore left unchanged. The line’s oval knob is offered in two versions — smooth surface and hand hammered. Each of the latter is painstakingly hand-hammered by a skilled artisan, ensuring no two pieces are exactly alike; all catch the light across their subtle irregularities.
This grouping also features an oval and rectangular backplate with a step design offering a subtle architectural frame that enhances the form and function of the hardware. The oval backplate mirrors the organic softness of the hammered knob, while the rectangular version introduces a tailored, linear counterpoint, allowing designers to customize.
Francis: A tribute to the legacy of Colonial Williamsburg’s walled gardens and intricate architectural landscape, the Francis knobs were inspired by an 18th-century floral illustration uncovered in Colonial Williamsburg’s Rare Books archive and a floral metal mold discovered in the site’s archaeology lab.
This flower-shaped knob draws from the graceful structure of heritage blooms — symmetrical, sculptural and quietly powerful. While its silhouette recalls the enduring language of floral motifs like the Tudor rose, the Francis knob roots itself firmly in the American garden tradition—where beauty was intentional, cultivated and integral to a home’s interior design.
Art & Forge introduces new verdigris and 24K gold-plated finishes for the Francis knobs. Verdigris provides a rich, green-blue patina inspired by centuries of natural oxidation. The 24K gold-plated finish leans into the jewel-like form of the Francis flower knob, offering a level of refinement rarely seen in architectural hardware.
