Door knocker
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Iron
Dimensions
Overall: 11 11/16 × 7 11/16 in. (29.7 × 19.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Iron
Culture
German
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1957
Accession Number
57.137.22
Art Historical Context
This 17th-century German iron door kn, measuring 11 11/16 × 7 11/16 inches (29.7 × 19.5 cm), is a fine example of everyday functional art from the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Acquired in 1957 through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, it the practical yet aesthetically pleasing hardware that graced the entrances of homes, inns, and public buildings across Germany during a time of robust craftsmanship. Forged from iron—a durable and versatile metal prized for its strength and workability—such knockers were essential for announcing visitors i...