Curation No.1 — Door knockers and pulls
Updated October 2024
Hand of Fatima And More
Discover the mystique behind France's beloved door knocker and explore other treasured antique door hardware
‘There’s another! Wow! Look at the details of it….’
Okay, it might be a little nerdish to be amazed by antique door knockers but walking around any old French towns or villages you're likely to see magnificent old door knockers proudly hanging on a variety of equally old doors, some freshly painted and polished, others neglected with peeling, worn paint, century-old door knockers painted and repainted many times over.
‘How many visitors used that door knocker and who were they?’, ‘Did they buy that particular knocker (only a bigger one) because the house next door had just fitted one?’, ‘Who was the original owner?’
Once you’ve bought and handled a few of them, you’ll begin to understand their charm and start to ‘feel’ their unique history that each one offers.
The Most Popular Door Knocker — The Hand of Fatima
Features
An elegant female hand made from solid cast iron, sometimes also seen in brass, the Hand of Fatima is definitely the most popular door knocker type where we live in Southwest France.
Origins and Symbolism
They are known locally as “La Main de Fatima,” originated from Islamic culture, where it served as a protective symbol. These door knockers represent a fascinating intersection of cultural influences. They blend Islamic symbolism with French craftsmanship, telling a story of how ideas and artistic motifs traveled and evolved across borders.
Today, these iconic knockers remain a beloved part of French architectural heritage in the Charente area. They continue to adorn the entryways of homes, from grand manors to humble village cottages, preserving the history of cross-cultural exchange and the artistic evolution of this distinctive design.
How to find the hand door knocker you will love
Checklist
Here’s what you might want to check before you make a purchase for your own special door.
- Various sizes from small, medium, and large size
- Crisp, detailed fingernails and knuckle lines
- Graceful wrist cuff with decorative patterns
- Substantial weight in either cast iron or brass
- Natural patina developed over decades
Animal door knockers — uniqueness over popularity
While the hand style is the most popular as mentioned above, there are rather unique types as well; this wonderful and elegant antique swan door knocker, and our more contemporary brass lion door knocker.
A Complete French Door Decoration Set
Door pulls
Getting carried away with door knockers, I almost forgot to mention that we also come across equally striking door pulls/handles like the ones below.
French antique door pull, decorative door pull from France, original antique door hardware
Large antique decorative cast iron door handle or door pull from France, door decor
French antique decorative cast iron door pull
These door pulls are again often found on old doors of the most affluent buildings in town to the more run-down and neglected old properties, these little decorative details the only hint of their former glory days.
It's our goal that once found by us, the fascinating door decor story will continue on a new door,maybe even on yours!
What we found in Oldcatvintage...
All items mentioned are available in our online store, with detailed photographs. Please contact us for personalized recommendations or to share your own door hardware discoveries! Visit our vintage curations.