Door knocker

This article is about the piece of furniture. For the political campaign activity, see canvassing.

A door knocker is an item of door furniture that allows people outside a house or other dwelling or building to alert those inside to their presence. A door knocker has a part fixed to the door, and a part (usually metal) which is attached to the door by a hinge, and may be lifted and used to strike a plate fitted to the door, or the door itself, making a noise. The struck plate, if present, would be supplied and fitted with the knocker. Door knockers are often ornate, but may be no more than a simple fitting with a metal bob, or ring.

Iron door knocker, from the 15th–16th centuries, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City)

German professor Franz Sales Meyer distinguished three kinds of door knocker: the "ring", the "hammer", and an ornate category which could take the shape of an animal or another figure. High demand for antique door knockers in the early 20th century in the United States caused forged versions to emerge.

Gallery of door knockers around the world

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  A British cast iron door knocker
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  "Ring of Mercy" on the Dom (Cathedral) St. Maria. of Augsburg.
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  Dragonhead door knockers, Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju, South Korea
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  Hamsa door knocker in Morocco
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  Angel door knocker in Harderwijk, the Netherlands
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  Door knocker in Venice
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  Door knocker in Orléans, France
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  Door knocker in Haji Bulagi House, Iran
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  Door knocker in Behnam House, Iran
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  A door in Fez, Morocco with two knockers. Traditionally, one was used by women and the other by men (see top left).
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  Door knocker depicting an Eagle warrior in Querétaro, Mexico.
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  Hand-shaped door knocker in Spain
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  Lion head door knocker at the Raczyńskich Library
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  Renaissance door knocker in Toulouse, France

See also

• Doorbell

External links

• "Heurtoir" - French dictionary of architecture – Illustrated (in French)