It is tempting to identify France as the country of origin of these unsigned white porcelain doorknobs charmingly decorated with hot air balloons. The French brothers Joseph and Stephen Montgolfier invented the paper lighter-than-air ship in 1783 and the whimsical image on the doorknobs is reminiscent of that first generation of steerable cloth balloons which quickly followed. The doorknobs are most likely from the late 19th to early 20th century. If they were first purchased by an aeronautical enthusiast, they would today make excellent hardware for a child’s bedroom door. Condition: Excellent. Dimensions: 2.5" diameter.