Creative Collections: Door Knockers

We talked about our day wandering around Spitalfields recently – in particular, all the fabulous original architectural features that we saw – many dating from the 18th & 19th century.

One such feature was the door knockers. We became aware of them immediately. They came in all shapes, sizes and styles – with some common themes such as garlands, rope twists, ladies’ hands, sphinx heads, fish and lions.

Door knockers are thought to have originated in ancient Greece, when… wait for it… a slave was chained to the door. Their sole purpose was to open the door for recognised visitors. If they’d fallen asleep, the metal ring that they were chained to acted as a knocker to wake them up. We’re pleased to announce that no one was chained to the doors of Spitalfield! Ancient Rome adopted the custom and door knockers became a feature of wealthy houses throughout the empire. Over time, they developed from a simple ring into the more elaborate designs.

Think of all the people who’ve knocked on them over the years – from tradespeople delivering & hawking their wares to dinner guests in their finery. Imagine all the characters and costumes! That’s the wonder of historical objects. And there are fascinating little historical side stories to be uncovered. For example, the design below is early Georgian and known as the ‘Doctor’s door knocker’ as it actually indicated where a doctor lived. It has now become one of the more commonly reproduced classic examples seen throughout the UK.

Adelle was given an antique lion’s head door knocker many years ago by her dad to put on the front door of her first ever flat – and it’s been mounted on every front door of every house lived in since. The lion represents bravery, valour, nobility and strength. It’s seen as a protective force for those living within the house. Alas, it doesn’t seem to put off cold callers or the delivery of bills.

We saw lots of these lovely hand knockers that day. They’re based on the hand of Fatima – a palm-shaped amulet that protected against evil. It was seen as the perfect form for a door knocker, protecting the house inhabitants in the same way. They were common in countries around the Mediterranean, from where their popularity spread. Fatima is also known as Hamsa – the daughter of the prophet Muhammad – and her symbolic hand is a popular talisman across the Middle East and Northern Africa.

An attractive door knocker has such presence – and makes a very good first impression on visitors.And when you wander round historical streets like those in Spitalfields, with different knockers on every door, it adds such interest to the rows of houses. These pictures represent only a small selection of those we saw that day. If we ever return to the area (which we’re sure that we will), we’re going to create a more comprehensive image catalogue.

Designer Desire: Biggs and Collings

When we recently spent an afternoon wandering around Spitalfields, we stopped to photograph an amazing public art wall mosaic on Brushfield Street.

After a little online research, we discovered that it was the work of husband & wife duo, Biggs and Collings.

Emma Biggs explains of the wall mosaic:

The design is based on Biggs & Collings paintings. The site is the former Fruit and Wool Exchange. The whites and light greys and browns relate to the colours of wool, and the strong hues pick up the colours of fruit. The rather ‘off’ tones come from looking at silks woven in the area in the 18th century. The weavers were largely Huguenots, refugees from religious repression.

Once we learned it was them, we looked into the other works that they’d done. They produce paintings and textiles, but its their mosaics that we find most stunning. The ones we’ve featured above are in private, public and commercial settings and located around the world.

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Additional image credits:

Emma Biggs | Mosaic Art Now | Sophie Munns

An afternoon in Spitalfields

We highlighted our visit to Dennis Severs’ House in London in a recent post. Having spent a wonderful hour there, we wandered around the historical Spitalfields and Shoreditch districts for the rest of the afternoon.

There was no danger of getting lost with the stunning Christ Church to help you keep your bearings. It often loomed into view as we criss-crossed the area.

It didn’t really matter if we got lost anyway. We weren’t in any rush and there was so much to see; every street had hidden gems.

In particular, it was the architectural details that were so interesting to us.

The brick & stonework, the paving, the door frames & windows, the shutters, the fanlights, the door knobs & bells, knockers and letter boxes; much of it original Georgian.

There’s a mixture of old industrial buildings, pubs, shops and domestic dwellings. It really is fascinating if you just take the time to stroll and soak it all in.

Another thing that really caught our eye were the ‘ghost signs’, the remnants of former factory and shop premises advertising signs with business names and products for sale.

Some have never really been hidden away, some rediscovered many years after being painted over, boxed in or covered with later signage.

They’re so atmospheric. That’s something that can be said of the area in general – especially once you get into some of the quieter side streets. There are famously busy areas like Brick Lane – full of shops, restaurants and bars. However, these quiet corners have a special attraction all of their own.

If you’re a fan of period architecture and detailing, particularly the 18th and 19th century, then set aside a few hours if you’re in this part of London… and take a wander.

Dennis Severs’ House visit

We’ve already written about our recent trip to London and visit to Chelsea Physic Garden. Another day that still burns bright in the memory is our afternoon in Spitalfields and, in particular, the time we spent at Dennis Severs’ House.

Dennis Severs was an artist and he created this world at number 18 Folgate Street. It’s a very special place – and somewhere we’d strongly recommend if you’re planning a trip to London. Perhaps you even live there and have never visited.

Dennis Severs created the house and it’s quite hard to describe – part theatre, part gallery. He wasn’t keen on the museum tag, although there’s an abundance of wonderful historical objects. It feels alive – as if the people who lived there have just stepped out for a moment… and you’ve been left to wander around their home during their brief absence. Perhaps they’re even in another room or part of the house close by. You’re invited into ‘a game’ – you’ve briefly interrupted a family of Huguenot weavers and you’re piecing things together – who was just here, what were they doing, how do they live.

Californian, Dennis Severs recalled:

Down deep, I always believed that one day I would travel past picture frames and into the marinated glow of a warmer, more mellow and more romantic light. There was one such light in particular, one that I saw in the combination of old varnish and paint, and that appealed to me as my ideal. By the age of 11, it was identified as English.

There’s dust and dishes to be washed, half-finished food & drink, unmade beds, clothes hanging to dry, candles flickering and fires burning.

It’s an imagined place, the Huguenot family named Jervis and their lodgers – however, it’s based on historical realities.

With a candle, a chamber pot and a bedroll, I began sleeping in each of the house’s 10 rooms so that I might arouse my intuition in the quest for each room’s soul.

It’s a complex, multi-layered thing. Have a read of the official website for a deeper exploration and explanation of Dennis Severs’ thought process.

You’re asked to wander around the house in silence, no electric light, no phones, no cameras. It’s very much about the atmosphere contained within the house and spaces within. An experience of sight, sound and smell.

Some rooms or spaces are very humble indeed – others a little more opulent. There’s the kitchen, eating parlour, smoking rooms, work rooms, bedrooms and boudoirs. There are fabulous details everywhere you turn – still lives almost.

It’s only open twice a week, generally. About 8 visitors are welcomed in at a time. The plus side of this is that the rooms are never crowded with people. The downside is that you have to keep moving through the house steadily – otherwise the next 8 would never get in! You’re not rushed, but we would have loved to just sit in each room for half an hour or so, to soak it all in.

In fact, Justin for one, would happily live there for a few days. Our own home gets more and more like Dennis Severs’ House with each passing month!

The average visit lasts about 30-40 minutes and costs £10; it’s well worth it. There are special events to look out for too, especially at Christmastime where you can linger a little longer, sit in the rooms – and even have mulled wine & mince pies. It’s also available to hire as a film and photography location.

We hope to return very soon. Have a watch of the interview below with Dennis Severs from 1998, a couple of years before his untimely passing.

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H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: Spitalfields

Creative Collections: Door Knockers

Designer Desire: Biggs and Collings

An afternoon in Spitalfields

Dennis Severs’ House visit