Victorian Revival Bronze Hand Door Knocker

Hands have been a popular motif throughout time in many different cultures.  Travel the world and you may notice hand-shaped door knockers in many different countries.  It is thought these door knockers originally represented the Hand of Fatima (the daughter of Mohammed) or Hamsa, a symbol that offered protection against the evil eye.  However, the Jewish faith also use the Hamsa and is a symbol of the hand of God reaching down from the heavens.  The hand has become a symbol of luck and good faith and is often seen in jewelry, housewares and architectural elements. It is not surprising the Victorians have adopted the hand door knocker.  After all, "severed" hands were a popular motif in Victorian life.  With the popularity of travel in the 1700 and 1800s, it is no doubt this door knocker motif was brought back to Europe from the Middle East and regions along the Mediterranean.  Many of these old door knocker molds were still used into the 20th century and were offered for sale in found