Once a handwrought luxury item, ornate metalwork became accessible to all after the Civil War, as the economy boomed and the mass manufacture of decorative hardware hit its stride. By the late 19th century, elaborately detailed brackets made of cast iron or brass turned up in houses supporting everything from wall-hung sinks to library shelves. Catalogs from the period featured a wide range of styles that reflected the over-the-top Victorian aesthetic. These days, as more homeowners opt for open shelving in kitchens and baths, reproduction-style brackets are enjoying a resurgence.
Here, 15 of our favorite options.
Loop and tie
Size: 9 1/8″D x 11 1/8″H
Made of: Powder-coated cast iron.
Highlight: This simple rope-and-knot design could suggest a nautical look.
Cost: $20; Signature Hardware
Nature theme
Size: 7 1/8″D x 6 3/4″H
Made of: Cast iron with a rust finish.
Highlight: Flora and fauna get a suitably weathered patina.
Cost: $14; House of Antique Hardware
Scrollwork
Size: 9 1/8″D x 8 7/8″H
Made of: Iron with a distressed finish.
Highlight: Worn paint emphasizes every curve.
Cost: $65 per pair; Van Dyke’s Restorers
Oak-leaf motif
Size: 11″D x 9″H
Made of: Cast iron with a brown finish.
Highlight: Acorns project from a leafy tree branch.
Cost: $14; Iron Accents
Heavy metal
Size: 7 1/2″D x 4 3/4″H
Made of: Powder-coated cast iron.
Highlight: Subtle in size, this gleaming bracket has a hefty presence.
Cost: $41 per pair; Van Dyke’s Restorers
Brass tack
Size: 7 3/4″D x 9 1/2″H
Made of: Lacquered cast brass.
Highlight: Fleurs-de-lis decorate this elegant option.
Cost: $18; House of Antique Hardware
Delicate detail
Size: 6 3/4″D x 9 1/4″H
Made of: Iron with a distressed white finish.
Highlight: Small-scale ornamentation is set off by an antiqued paint finish.
Cost: $30; Signature Hardware
Romanesque
Size: 9″D x 9 7/8″H
Made of: Aluminum with a nickel finish.
Highlight: Pillars and arches give this one architectural flair.
Cost: $20; Historic House Parts
In the round
Size: 8 5/8″D x 8 5/8″H
Made of: Cast iron with a rust finish.
Highlight: This pick will continue to oxidize, aging gracefully.
Cost: $29; Signature Hardware
Airy arch
Size: 6 1/2″D x 6 3/4″H
Made of: Cast iron with a rust finish.
Highlight: This slim, simple profile won’t weigh down a skinny shelf.
Cost: $13; Signature Hardware
In gear
Size: 8 3/4″D x 8 3/4″H
Made of: Powder-coated cast iron.
Highlight: A steampunk take on a Victorian-era look.
Cost: $20; Signature Hardware
Craftsman
Size: 7 1/2″D x 9 1/2″H
Made of: Solid brass with an antiqued finish.
Highlight: This geometric pattern has a distinct Arts and Crafts feel.
Cost: $24; Van Dyke’s Restorers
Verdigris
Size: 9″D x 9 1/2″H
Made of: Cast iron with a weathered finish.
Highlight: This green accent will perk up painted or stained wood boards.
Cost: $24; Anthropologie
Climbing vines
Size: 7 1/8″D x 8 3/16″H
Made of: Cast iron with an antiqued finish.
Highlight: Leafy tendrils reach up to lend support.
Cost: $18; House of Antique Hardware
Gothic look
Size: 8″D x 12″H
Made of: Powder-coated cast iron.
Highlight: Ornate details suggest flying buttresses for your shelves.
Cost: $22; House of Antique Hardware