Lion Door Knockers

Lion was been used as a symbol by many ancient civilizations. Many Greek tomb structures used lion as their epithema in spite of the fact that lions were rarely seen by the Greeks. In Egypt and India Lion is often used as symbolic guardian of tombs or temples. the concept of lions as vigilant guardians likely stems from the belief that lions sleep with their eyes open, an idea expressed in the Bible. Lion is at the same time the animal most often “crossed” with other creatures to form hybrids.



A very rare German door knocker, Koln, early 14th c.


This XVIth C. door knocker is decorated by a lion surrounded by a snake. Albi, France

Italian baroque door knocker decorated with a golden maned lion's head

This is one of the oldest known bronze door knockers
Possibly 12th century
shaped as a lion's head