A finger plate, also known as a push plate, is a flat plate fixed to a door close to the handle to protect the paintwork or polished surface from marks left by fingers when the door is pushed open. Finger plates are usually rectangular or shaped and are fixed with small screws, often fitted in pairs on both faces of the door.
Finger plates became common in British houses during the nineteenth century, particularly in Victorian and Edwardian interiors where they formed part of matching sets of door furniture with knobs and escutcheons. They were made in a wide variety of materials, including cast or stamped brass, bronze, copper, cast iron, painted or transfer-printed porcelain, glass, wood and later Bakelite and chrome. Designs reflect changing taste, from Gothic and Rococo revival patterns to Aesthetic Movement motifs, Arts and Crafts hammered copper, Art Nouveau whiplash curves and geometric Art Deco styles. Collectors and restorers of period houses seek original finger plates, ideally in matching pairs, with crisp detail and undamaged surfaces. Ceramic examples should be checked carefully for cracks or chips, and metal plates are best cleaned gently to preserve their patina.
