Press release -

The history of the door knocker

Door knockers come in many varieties

Knock, knock, knock! Who's there? - Quotes from Shakespeare's Macbeth

At VillaHus you can find door knockers in many varieties. You can for example find the classic door knockers shaped like a lion head, a horseshoe or a traditional ring, but you can also find the more distinctive door knockers that can take the form of a woodpecker, lyre or a dolphin.

The history of the door knocker is old - in fact, the door knocker has welcomed guests from all over the world for thousands of years.

Back to Ancient Greece

The door knocker was invented in Ancient Greece. The Greeks were very cautious about who they welcomed into their properties as they always had to be aware of potential enemies.

The Spartans did not have much patience and because of this they shot the intruders as soon as they had the option, while the Athenians were more sophisticated and found a piece of iron that was loosely mounted on the front door. The guest could grab the iron and knock on the door to report his arrival. The iron worked in this way as a butler who made the residents of the propery aware of new guests. This became a precursor to the door knocker we know today.

The majestic lion head

The Athenians soon found out that enemies could take the iron off the door and choose to attack the residents with the heavy piece of iron because it was just mounted loosely on the door. To avoid this, a heavy iron ring was developed, which was mounted on a round plate on the door. In this way, no one could remove the door knocker from the door but guests could stille use it for knocking.

The idea of the door knocker, designed as a ring, gradually spread to Rome where the ring was soon further developed and reinvented. The Romans invented a lot of new, decorative motifs that were mounted on the doors to replace the simple ring. For example the well-known lion head which has been one of the most used door knockers since the Antiquity. The lion head symbolizes courage, strength and power, which the Romans wanted to be associated with of both friends and enemies.

Over the years, the door knocker gradually spread to the rest of Europe and other parts of the world - and today the door knocker has been rediscovered and is used as a functional decoration on front doors all over the world.

See our selection of door knockers here.

Related links

Topics

  • Design

Categories

  • doordesign
  • architecture
  • buildingproject
  • housedecoration
  • homedecoration
  • house
  • home
  • homedecor

At VillaHus we have a special passion for interior design. We believe that your home is telling the story of who you are. We have an extraordinary passion for the interior detail, which means that we are specialized in exclusive door handles, door knockers, door stops, cabinet knobs and other fittings for your home. 

To ensure high quality, we have carefully selected all the designers, architects and design companies we are working together with. We are proud to offer designs from exclusive and well-known brands such as Arne Jacobsen, Knud Holscher, Samuel Heath, FSB and Turnstyle Design.

Related content

  • Get to know VillaHus

    We perceive door handles as tiny pieces of art and we really love working with them. We think that it makes good sense that if you are concerned about your home decoration and you are into design, you need to pay attention to your door handles.

  • Should I choose polished or brushed brass?

    The golden brass is one of the most popular materials in Scandinavian interior decoration right now. The brass adds a special exclusivity and warmth to any home - whether you prefer to decorate your home simple and minimalistic or colorful and sparkly.

  • Brass interior is popular as never before

    Brass interior is popular as never before. An increasing number of people are choosing to incorporate the beautiful brass details in their home to create a warm, exclusive and classic look.

  • Join us for the hunting of cultural handles

    Søe-Jensen & Co. has since 1862 delivered door handles, fittings, signs and other products to a wide range of buildings and attractions in Copenhagen and the surrounding area.

  • Guide for the choice of rosettes

    The rosette is a tiny interior detail with great importance. Most of the time the item is not getting much attention, but in fact the rosette can make a significant difference to the overall interior design expression in your rooms. Should you go for the simple rosette or the decorative one? Get to know more about the choice of the rosette below.