Door knocker in the shape of a lizard-like creature
The later Middle Ages was practically a second Iron Age, producing vast quantities of armor, weaponry and all manner of functional objects from nails to elaborate strap work hinges, ornate locks and household tools. A highly specialized craft, the best ironsmiths took pride in bringing decorative refinement to their works often elaborating surfaces that could not be seen and transfiguring the functional into the figural. These door knockers are fine examples of the wit, humor, and skill the best ironsmiths could bring to their products.
This door knocker is in the form of a lizard-like creature with a long tail curled up into two concentric circles, legs with three-toed feet projecting forward, and a long snout that curls up in a flattened proboscis. The surface is textured with short parallel chiseled lines. The eyes are indicated by small holes pressed into the metal in its heated state and the mouth is open with short parallel chiseled lines suggesting serrated teeth. The tang and the striker are set between the legs
This door knocker is in the form of a lizard-like creature with a long tail curled up into two concentric circles, legs with three-toed feet projecting forward, and a long snout that curls up in a flattened proboscis. The surface is textured with short parallel chiseled lines. The eyes are indicated by small holes pressed into the metal in its heated state and the mouth is open with short parallel chiseled lines suggesting serrated teeth. The tang and the striker are set between the legs
Artwork Details
- Title: Door knocker in the shape of a lizard-like creature
- Date: 15th or 16th century
- Culture: Spanish
- Medium: Wrought iron
- Dimensions: without tang: 11 13/16 × 3 7/8 × 4 1/8 in. (30 × 9.9 × 10.5 cm)
Overall with mounting (tang): 11 13/16 × 3 7/8 × 5 7/8 in. (30 × 9.9 × 15 cm) - Classification: Metalwork-Iron
- Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 2016
- Object Number: 2016.437
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
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Spanish
1427–38
Spanish (?)
15th century
Spanish (?)
15th century
Spanish (?)
16th century
Spanish
late 15th–early 16th century
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