Door knocker (one of a pair) 1595 - 1630

This door knocker is one of a pair made in Germany by Hubert Gerhard, sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Consider how the image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. In its time, this knocker would have represented the power of the home’s inhabitants. The lions are a symbol of courage; the cherub, divinity; and the shield at the center would likely have been engraved with a family crest. Door knockers like these speak to the growing culture of individualism that was developing in Northern Europe at this time. As a social historian, I can see how this object might be seen in relation to the rise of mercantile capitalism, particularly in the German states where wealthy families were building impressive houses to reflect their increased social status. To understand this object better, I would research the heraldry of the time, as well as the history of metalworking and the lives of artisans like Gerhard.