No. 12. Here is one of the favorite Lion type pattern, to which reference has been already made. This appears to have been a popular Italian design, knockers of its type being found upon many doors of ancient homes of Venice. Tradition has it that Napoleon, noticing one of these upon the Doge’s Palace and being reminded by it perhaps of the British lion, angrily commanded it to be torn away.
No. 13. One might wonder why the head of Medusa, conveying so many suggestions of repulsion and terror, should be selected for a place upon any hospitable door. Yet this was a frequent design, and it must be confessed is artistically beautiful, with its flowing locks, its winged brow, the scroll above, and the semi-circular striker with its suggestions of leaves and acorns.
No. 14. An example of the possibility of representing soft and flowing draperies, even through the unyielding medium of metal, is found in this beautiful ‘garland’ knocker. Above, appears the familiar urn with its festooned border and curling ribbons at the base. Below, the graceful lines of the garland trimmed with flowers lead the eye downward to the rosette and pendant, which terminate the design. The polished oval with its saw-tooth frame might almost serve as a mirror for some Salem beauty standing at the door while awaiting admittance.
THE END
Transcriber’s Note:
Minor errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.
[Henry FitzGilbert Waters] and [Henry Fitz-Gilbert Waters] both appear in the original work.