Yes, I have a thing for door knockers, what can I say?
I frequently think of moving to Europe just so I can have a door with one of these amazing knockers smack dab in the middle of it.
It makes me sad that in the USA we have doorbells that arbitrarily quit working or that go unused. (What is it with FedEx, UPS, USPS that they rarely ring the bell when they leave a package?)
If we had these astounding door knockers, who wouldn’t want to give them a resounding pounding?
The picture-taking started in Genoa, spiraling on to include Milan, Bologna, and Siena (the last two true treasure troves for these works of art). It’s difficult to contain myself when strolling down a quiet street and yet another one catches my eye. Who made them? How did the owners choose which one? What conversations did they have with their friends upon their first visit and first usage of the elaborate knocker? Were there servants, rolling their eyes when the meek owner chose the lion or the owner who would never leave home picked the exotic Egyptian one?
Ah, the wide-ranging stories these door knockers could tell!
- Speaking of Ghoulish things…
These are lovely! Thanks for sharing your collection. I can see why you enjoy finding them.
It is fun, seeking out the door knockers, Leora. Like a puzzle!
Door knockers are so cool! Great photos.
Glad that you like the pictures–given the great ones you put out, Donna!
Yes, I have a door knocker. We also had a bell but had to keep on replacing the battery. What a nuisance!
Cool, Phoenicia!
If you want to email me a picture of it, I’d be ever so happy to add it to this post!
Door knockers provide an excellent opportunity to practice your Morse Code skills.
.– .- -.- .
..- .–.
Ha ha, Andy!
What great pictures.
Each one of those door knockers are unique. Here, showing your uniqueness by having different types of door chimes. I like the door knockers better.
I know, William! The door knockers are so cool!
What a gorgeous and eclectic lot. I like Lion head door knockers and I loved the Mermaid/Lorelei envisioning it on a seafarer’s house. Sadly ,our screen door precludes a door knocker.
Hi Rose, I like the knocker with the little hand. Now that is unique, isn’t it? I have a glass chicken obsession. It’s funny the things we can develop a fetish for. Lol
Susan, that knocker makes me think of giving it a gentle, tap tap tap. Versus some that I feel I’d lift up and let drop with a big clang. Such fun!
Glass chickens? Is there a blog in there? Hm.
Hi Rose. I love door knockers, too! I found so many great ones in Italy that I photographed. We have a really cool rooster on a bell that I wish more people would use. But as you say, people just tend to push the doorbell.
Maybe people here are shy about giving them a whirl? I would make my European friends nuts if I went to visit–I’d do the knocker thing, then do it again and probably do it again when I left. Such artwork!
I have a door knocker, but sadly no one uses it. They go for the bell instead. And after they do my dog makes a ferocious sound, threatening them to get lost or else.
Well, er, ah, um, do you get many return visitors, Ken? 🙂
hey you crazy redhead!!! Hope all is well
your friend in the not so cold north!!!
You knew I was strange, right Todd? We are getting tiny little minuscule snowflakes this morning. I’m sending them north!
Ha! I love door knockers too! I see quite a few of these ornamental knockers here in the Charleston SC area. But I suspect UPS would still dump and dash…. sigh:)
How can they resist using one of those artistic knockers? Jeeze, Jacquie, do you ever walk down the street to use one of them and then dash off? I was sorely tempted a number of times!
Great pictures, Rose Mary. I also love these ornamental door knockers.
I’ll bet you saw some amazing ones when you were in England, Nadine. They are so cool!