European Doors: Florence

I will be the first to admit photography isn’t within my wheelhouse. However, the need to document the doors featured in this article happened by chance and curiosity. It all began on a trip to Italy with my family during which, as one might assume, we walked a great deal. The beauty in walking in a new city is the amount of details you are allowed to take in with the extra time and slower pace. You can follow the vines along the walls of a house with your eyes as you venture past. You can admire each unique color palette of flowers in gardens. You can marvel at the intermingling of old and new architecture, which is exactly how the door knockers, knobs, and letter boxes began to catch my eye. The first image featured below was snapped in Rome, and the images after were taken in Florence, Italy.

The many forms, faces, and figures featured on these Italian doors inspired me to research a bit deeper into their meaning. I came across a fascinating essay from 1917 entitled, “A History of Door Knockers”  by Art Brass Co.,Inc.

The invention of door knockers themselves is attributed to the ancient Greeks. Door knockers were born out of necessity when it became considered impolite to enter a home without first announcing one’s presence. The new invention was called a “rapper.” After some tweaks to the initial design, the Romans adopted the custom. The essay goes on to describe how door knockers were used at churches for criminals and offenders of all kinds to call for sanctuary for 37 days, to be exact. The essay also features tidbits about authors like Dickens and Shakespeare’s mentions of door knockers in their works. I will link the full essay in case anyone wants to nerd out on door knockers as well.

Beyond that brief history on these door decorations, I wanted to understand the symbolism of the lions and the faces. Each source I found on the subject suggested that the grotesque faces and fearsome figures were chosen to ward away evil spirits from entering the household. The lions seem to perform a similar function of protection for the household. Although, some articles theorize that the lions represent protection from Saint Mark the evangelist or point to a particular Italian clan of that time.

Now, let’s look at some cool doors.

Be it ornament, affiliation, or protection, each of these doors tell a story. I am thrilled to announce the European doors series will return very soon. Please let me know in the comments if you have a favorite door!

Until next time, 

Aja