Is it just me or does the Bafta trophy remind you of a big brass door knocker? It struck me again last night, so I thought I would take a closer look at the history of door knockers. And yes, even door knockers have a history.
It is believed that the first door knockers originated in Ancient Greece as a simple metal ring attached to a back plate – a bit like the one above. This arrangement was made so a door slave could be chained securely to the door at all times, and, if by chance, he happened to nod off, a sharp rap of the ring against the back plate would get his attention or that of the home owner. The Romans adopted the idea and did a good job of spreading it across the empire – without the door slave attached. By the time of the Renaissance designs had progressed to this sort of thing.
This beautiful sixteenth-century bronze knocker comes from Venice and features the god of the sea, Neptune riding on the waves in his horse drawn carriage. It is a true work of art and would have announced the status of the household right from the very start of a visit.
In England at the same period it was more usual to have simple affairs, a bit like the one above, made by the local blacksmith. As the wealth of the nation increased so did the skill of its artisans and foundries were set up to satisfy demand – but early Georgian period door knockers were generally still simple, cast iron and painted black.
By the 1800s however, it became fashionable to have more elaborate door knockers, such as Lion Heads and Sphinx’s, often cast in brass or bronze. The lion has remained very popular ever since and has been used as a symbol of Great Britain signifying strength, pride, protection and power. A lion head door knocker acts as a guardian to the home – even for the Prime Minister at no 10, where it is painted black.
However, the later part of the Georgian era saw brass become the main material for door furniture, including door knockers. It also was the time when bell pulls came into use (1830’s) and the penny post began (1840s), starting the need for letter boxes so a whole set of door furniture was born.
Sometimes knockers were a clue as to the profession or religion of the home owner.
The knocking hand is more common in France and Spain than in Britain but generally indicates a Muslim household as it is taken from the famous ‘hand of Fatima’ motif.
And this household possibly belonged to a butcher.
This person obviously has a connection to the sea.
So, following this tradition, maybe an actor could have a Bafta-mask knocker made. Maybe we should start a whole new trend – door knockers reflecting modern life – what would you choose for your front door? Or maybe just stick to a fine period piece to match the age of your home.
