Carving
1600-1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Door knocker in the form of a softwood lion's mask holding in its mouth a two-part cast iron knocker. There are no obvious signs of it having been painted or stripped. Various old nails indicate where it was nailed back.
Three sections of wood were nailed (and probably glued) together before carving
Three sections of wood were nailed (and probably glued) together before carving
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved softwood |
| Brief description | Door-knocker in the form of a lion's head, with iron ring in its mouth. English, 1600-1700. |
| Physical description | Door knocker in the form of a softwood lion's mask holding in its mouth a two-part cast iron knocker. There are no obvious signs of it having been painted or stripped. Various old nails indicate where it was nailed back. Three sections of wood were nailed (and probably glued) together before carving |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Bought for £5 from Mr J.W. Eagles, 63 Albany Street, Regent's Park, London (RF11736/1894, Dr J. H. Middleton) 'much cracked' |
| Bibliographic reference | Early European decorated tools : from the woodworking and allied trades / Jonathan Green-Plumb (2012), fig. 167
Notes multifarious symbolism of lions in decorative arts. The lion with a ring in its mouth has been read symbolically, as 'the bond of the communion and union of the believer with Christ. Another interpretation is that the ring in the mouth was one of high liturgical importance, representing the spiritual wedding bond.' p.92 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 58-1894 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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