Door knocker

	The sound of a door knocker
Problems playing this file? See media help.

A door knocker is an item of door furniture that allows people outside a house or other dwelling or building to alert those inside to their presence. A door knocker has a part fixed to the door, and a part (usually metal) which is attached to the door by a hinge, and may be lifted and used to strike a plate fitted to the door, or the door itself, making a noise. The struck plate, if present, would be supplied and fitted with the knocker. Door knockers are often ornate, but may be no more than a simple fitting with a metal bob, or ring.

Gallery of door knockers around the world

• 
  A British cast iron door knocker
• 
  "Ring of Mercy" on the Dom (Cathedral) St. Maria. of Augsburg.
• 
  Hamsa door knocker in Morocco
• 
  Angel door knocker in Harderwijk, the Netherlands
• 
  Door knocker in Venice
• 
  Door knocker in Orléans, France
• 
  Door knocker in Haji Bulagi House, Iran
• 
  Door knocker in Behnam House, Iran
• 
  A door in Fez, Morocco with two knockers. Traditionally, one was used by women and the other by men (see top left).
• 
  Door knocker depicting an Eagle warrior in Querétaro, Mexico.
• 
  Hand-shaped door knocker in Spain

See also

• Doorbell

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Door knockers.

• "Heurtoir" - French dictionary of architecture – Illustrated (in French)