This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Door knocker

Location:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Holding Museum:

The David Collection

About The David Collection, Copenhagen

Date of Object:

Hegira 5th century / AD 11th century

Museum Inventory Number:

Inv.no. 50/2000

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Cast and engraved bronze, inlaid with niello

Period / Dynasty:

Fatimid

Provenance:

Southern Italy

Description:

This sculptured master piece is dominated by a lion’s head in whose jaws hangs a combination of a handle and a knocker - a ring embellished with a cock. The Kufi inscription on a black niello ground proclaims the Muslim profession of faith: “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. I testify that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

Citation of this web page:

 "Door knocker" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;dn;Mus21;13;en

MWNF Working Number: DN 13