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Description: This listing if for another really nice find from my personal collections.  This listing is for a ca 1800s (?) hand cast, shaped & finished bronze door knocker.  It is difficult to place more than an very estimate on the date this piece was made.  Given the style, patina as well as the hint of the clothing style from the part of the sleeve and cuff of the coat and shirt my guesstimate is Victorian era which spans Art Nouveau to Aesthetic to even Arts & Craft's period.  But my guess is it could even have been a mid to late 1700s as well.  I tried getting a hint from the screw threads the bolt & nut design except I honestly can't find a reliable way to use those details.  The somewhat crude look and feel of the piece makes me suspect it was a commissioned piece maybe even with a small blacksmith who would have had to design the mold then add the accents such as the finger detail, the ring on the index finger as well as the design on the cuff above the wrist.  This piece would work well on any style door from a heavy plank and cast iron door to a Mission Style or  Arts & Crafts era heavy wood door but my preference would be something more rustic, even an something in a Spanish or Southwestern theme ca 1700s-1800s.  If you cannot tell, I really find this piece fascinating.  And I do promise it is a genuine antique piece not some cheap fake/fraudulent/knockoff piece from China. If you look at the images the details are indeed rough or crudely done (supporting my age estimate) but also there is the smoothness and patina which only comes with age.  The hand applied details add to the character of this door knocker even to the point of a ring and fingernails. The part that is best about this is how everything in hand cast and crafted.  Even the threads on the bolt and nut were hand tapped.  Look at the cuff for the shirt sleeve at the wrist...all hand done.  The hinge pin is in exceptional shape and very secure.  I know this piece was not in use for at minimum of 60yrs because of the estate it came from...they had several small bungalows on the same property all filled to the ceilings with items like this and more.  According to the owner, a life long family friend, the bungalow this piece was in had not been opened in over 40yrs so add on the 30yrs ago that I bought it, that 40 yrs and then the obvious age inferred from the manufacturing techniques, it is easy to see how I get the date as between 100-250 years old.  I really am confidant in that age estimate even though it is rather broad. I even suspect this door knocker was never even installed on a door and used.  If it was it wasn't there very long.  Like I mentioned already between the time the previous owner had it and the time I have owned it has been about 70 years total.  Given the condition it's easy to think it was just never used.  Now even if it is only from the late 1880s that is 130 year old NOS (eBay'ese for "new old stock") and that would be a real rarity indeed.   Condition: The is no damage to the knocker and little to no wear to the ball inside the hand which would have come from impacting the door or strike plate.  The treads on the mounting bolt are not stripped or corroded thanks to the careful storage it has had over the decades and decades which have passed since it's manufacture. All of our items come from a smoke-free, pet-free home...even though we love the puppy dawgs.  And the kitties too...but just the good kitties not the naughty kitties. Maker: Unknown.   Era Made: Best guess is this piece was made ca. 1800s, anywhere from 1840s through 1900.  This is an estimate but it is at least that old.   Measurements: Over all the knocker measures about 8" long.  The hand portion is right about 4" then the bolt is another 4-1/2" from the hinge to the back.  The medallion is about 2-1/2" in diameter.   Items Included Summary: The listing is for the bronze door knocker as described above and shown in the pictures.   As you can see we do require a PayPal account to bid on our auctions.  Not to worry if you do not have a PayPal account.  If you just drop us an email we can add your ID to our Bidder Requirements Exemption List.  This will let you bid on our auctions no matter what.  It's easy to send a note using either our email link below or eBay's Ask Seller a Question   Domestic Shipping: International Shipping: This listing is being offered with calculated shipping. 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We also prepare each item for shipping when we list it for sale on eBay (not to worry we take lots of pictures.)  This now makes it more possible to do our best to provide Same Day Shipping if you pay using PayPal (this excludes e-check payments as they take several days to clear.) Please see end of listing and use the shipping calculator for International shipping costs to you.  If you feel the shipping is too costly to your location then please either do not bid or just make a change in your bid amount.  International fees are what they are, we have no control over them or postal regulations. If you are  are intending to pay via PayPal we can ship anywhere in the world where PayPal offers accounts.  We must, however,  ship only to the address provided to us by PayPal in the payment notification. 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