Late 19th Century Brass Door Knocker Lady’s Hand Sculpture Made in Morocco Dark Patina

Description

Brass Lady’s Hand Door knocker made in Morocco circa late 19th century. Beautiful heavy solid brass with a dark patina … more Brass Lady’s Hand Door knocker made in Morocco circa late 19th century. Beautiful heavy solid brass with a dark patina decorative functional unique door knocker sculpture. Measurements of the hand part of knocker is 5” H x 2” W x 1.5” D. Knocker base medallion is a 1.75” diameter circle.
Door knockers have been used to symbolize everything from hospitality to good luck to warding off bad spirits.
From a history of doorknockers published in 1917: Knockers have been in constant use from the earliest times except for short periods in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, and were most freely elaborated during the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods. The material first employed in their construction was iron, later bronze, and lastly brass, which has retained preference since it first came into use.
Charles Dickens was considered an authority on this subject, and made mention of knockers many times in the course of his writings. The one he used upon his own door is particularly noteworthy because of its intimate description in the opening lines of the “Christmas Carol” in which old Scrooge, coming home late at night, imagines that he sees Marley’s face gazing at him out of the darkness. Shakespeare, too, mentions knockers frequently, and not many years ago a rude and ponderous iron knocker was unearthed in Morayshire, Scotland, which, it is claimed, is the very one that wakened Macbeth in his castle. less