Brass door handle model "Madeleine" - B166

The essentials

Madeleine door lever handle, Art Deco style door knob shape, in solid brass, made in France. Sold individually, supplied with its square spindle, screws, and hex key. Designed for rim locks, it can also be fitted to a mortice lock with the appropriate roses.

• Material: solid brass, a full and weighty piece
• Length: 105 mm
• Spindle included: a 7 mm rod, the French standard for mortice locks. Let us know if you have a rim lock and we will supply the 6 mm spindle, at no extra charge
• Door thickness: up to 44 mm
• No return spring: the spring return comes from the lock itself, making this lever handle compatible as standard with lift-action locks
• Finishes: from bright gold to anthracite
• Packaging: one lever handle, i.e. one side of the door. Two are needed to fully equip a door
• Manufacturer's warranty: 2 years

The "bec de canne" (literally "duck's bill") takes its name from its profile: the lever rises from the neck, curves downward and ends in an upturned tip, around which the hand closes naturally without having to search for the grip. The design remains clean, with no moulding or ornamentation — the restrained geometry of Art Deco. At 105 mm, the Madeleine is a short lever handle: the lever does not protrude, which makes it well-suited to a narrow door or one set close to a frame.

Is your door more than 44 mm thick? Write to us before ordering — we will check the feasibility.

Rim lock or mortice lock?

This determines your order. Look at your door: is the lock body mounted on the surface of the wood, clearly visible, or invisible because it is set into the thickness?

Rim lock

The metal body is screwed onto the face of the door. It is visible and forms part of the décor. This is the traditional fitting for period homes and the original intended use of this lever handle.

On that side, it mounts directly onto the lock body, which already carries the entire mechanism: nothing else is needed. On the other side, it passes through bare wood. You may add a rose there — not for functional reasons, but to cover the marks left by a previous hole.

In that case, request the 6 mm spindle: this is the standard for rim locks and is not supplied by default. A note in your order comments is all that is needed.

Our full range of compatible models can be found in our lever handles for rim locks.

The mortice lock, also known as a "sash lock"

The lock body is set into the thickness of the door leaf: only the faceplate is visible, on the edge of the door. This is the standard fitting for modern doors, and the 7 mm spindle supplied as standard suits it perfectly.

On each side, three elements are then required: the lever handle, its rose, and a function rose chosen according to the lock — cylinder key, room key, or privacy turn for a bathroom or WC.

The roses that match this model are shown higher up on this page, in the associated accessories. Not all the roses in the catalogue are compatible with DCG pieces: the ones listed here are selected to work together.

Not sure about your lock? Send us a photo of the door and we will tell you what to order.

Choosing the finish

One thing to know before choosing a gold finish: bare brass tarnishes in the air within a few months. Our gold finishes are lacquered, which prevents this — the lever handle retains the lustre it had on the day of fitting.

• The golds — Polished gold, also known as bright gold: the vivid brilliance of brass, protected by its lacquer. Matt gold, or satin gold: the same warmth, without the sheen.
• The light greys — Polished chrome, the most reflective. Satin nickel, also known as brushed nickel, and Lacquered nickel: more subdued, and they do not show fingerprints.
• The deep tones — Bronze, a darkened brass with warm reflections. Copper, rosier in tone. Brushed chrome, an aged grey. Anthracite, also known as matt slate, almost black, for a striking contrast against a light-coloured door.

The difference between satin nickel and brushed chrome is difficult to distinguish in a photograph. If you are unsure between two similar shades, write to us.

Where it comes from

DCG manufactures in the Vimeu, in Picardy, the historic heartland of French hardware — a family-run business since 1989. Each piece is gravity-cast in a sand mould, silver-brazed, then hand-polished.