Walking down the street in the neighboring village of Beausset, I couldn't help noticing that nearly every door, had a cast iron hand door knocker.
It struck me funny, was there a message behind the door for me?
Though the hands look more or less alike, they are different. They each have a ring, a ruffled long sleeve, a ribbon or buckle at the wrist. The hands are feminine and each one is holding a pomegranate or maybe an apple.
Are these Fatima's hands? Speaking of religion what did Eve give Adam? A fig?
I think these hands are holding pomegranates. It seems to hold to reason, that these hands want to lead you gently without injure.
Imagine that every door that you open will lead you in a good way.
Photos: Antique cast iron hand door knockers. Knock and it shall open.
To the queen of door openers-
Like Bob said,
Knock, knock, knockin' on Heaven's door
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | 09 April 2007 at 04:33 PM
What a wonderful, welcoming tradition, beckoning one to enter.
Posted by: stephanie | 09 April 2007 at 04:53 PM
Oh, Corey, how fun! I want to go through each door.
Posted by: Elaine | 09 April 2007 at 05:11 PM
Take every opportunity. Enter every door you can. We only pass this way once.
Darla
Posted by: Darla | 09 April 2007 at 05:24 PM
Such an interesting element of culture, they are fun too!
Posted by: cruststation | 09 April 2007 at 05:26 PM
You should collect these and publish a book! I'd buy several.
Posted by: tut-tut | 09 April 2007 at 05:28 PM
Pomegranates have always held a special place in my heart. As a child I would ask my mother for them when they were in season, and I would slowly eat the little seeds one at a time, savouring their sweetness. It was a treat!
The door knockers must hold the same passion for them!
Posted by: Blue | 09 April 2007 at 06:07 PM
More inspiration - that's precisely why I keep coming back! Thank you, Corey!
Posted by: beachy | 09 April 2007 at 07:01 PM
As usual, Corey, you leave me with imaginings and fancies; more questions than answers. The book about doors and their meaning is intriguing. I will need to look further.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 09 April 2007 at 07:23 PM
Love your door knockers, And the beautiful doors too. The symblol of the hand is Gods protection I have heard.
Posted by: constance | 09 April 2007 at 07:35 PM
I do imagine that. Occasionally, you open the door, and it's a little scary on the other side though. Whoa! Do you close the door, or greet what's on the other side with a grin and a how do you do? Sometimes scary can be good!
Posted by: Mrs.Staggs | 09 April 2007 at 07:37 PM
these all look so welcoming....with a gentle rap at the door you are ushered in to hearth and home.
XOXO
Posted by: Lisa Oceandreamer | 09 April 2007 at 07:59 PM
I fell in love with these hands while I was in Provence. I can't remember if I showed you my photo of one I saw in Saignon. I almost bought one at an antique fair in Perugia but chose not to. I think I now regret it but I was on the road and those knockers are heavy!!! Love the pics.
Posted by: sarala | 09 April 2007 at 08:20 PM
The greatest gamble in life is to open each door regardless of what you may find behind it. The biggest prize will never be found if you're too afraid to open any doors.
Posted by: Shannon | 09 April 2007 at 08:51 PM
I remember the first time you you put up one of these hand knockers with your post--it intrigued me then and these still do. In the US we would expect them to be mass produced, but each of these looks slightly different. I love your gentle take on these...
Posted by: Star | 09 April 2007 at 08:59 PM
I knocked and it opened! I wasn't afraid, just thankful...pretty!
Posted by: shabbyinthecity | 09 April 2007 at 09:14 PM
Now those are definitely something you don't see around here everyday. I would love to have a cool knocker :)
Teresa
xo
Posted by: Teresa Sheeley | 09 April 2007 at 09:49 PM
I photographed several of these recently in Portugal and Morocco. They all differ slightly as you show. I was fascinated to learn the history of using them as door knockers. The pomegranate has lots of symbolism too, so perhaps it's a way of doubling your protection for the hand to be holding one. Alas I have only a door bell..!
Posted by: sheila | 09 April 2007 at 10:08 PM
Interestingly enough, despite what is commonly believed (an apple), the bible doesn't say what type of fruit Eve ate and then gave to Adam. All we do know is that it was the one thing in the garden God had reserved for himself.
Love how you always notice the details Corey.
Posted by: lauren Mumford | 09 April 2007 at 10:21 PM
Do you know how Fatima's Hand came to protect so many French homes?
They are all beautiful, though, and we can never have enough good luck bringers and protectors from evil spirits.
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 09 April 2007 at 10:24 PM
Isn't that interesting. I think they (A & E) got caught being naughty in the fig leaves.
Posted by: patpaulk | 10 April 2007 at 12:11 AM
One cannot be gone long from here or there is catching up to do. I've so enjoyed it, the catching up.
Posted by: Candy | 10 April 2007 at 12:14 AM
Wow, what great pictures, I've never noticed the handknockers, they look fantastic, not to mention a little scary.
Posted by: rochelle | 10 April 2007 at 01:14 AM
I have always notices hand knockers! They have always intrigued me. I have always wondered the meaning behind what they are holding.
Thank you!
Posted by: angela marie | 10 April 2007 at 01:57 AM
That's interesting! I don't think I ever would have noticed that!! Happy Easter!
Posted by: Blondie | 10 April 2007 at 02:37 AM
Beautiful message and great pictures...I would LOVE one..
Posted by: Gypsy Purple | 10 April 2007 at 05:03 AM
Wonderful!
Posted by: Lila | 10 April 2007 at 05:05 AM
Those are without a doubt the coolest door knockers I've ever seen!
Posted by: DebR | 10 April 2007 at 05:20 AM
I wonder if there is a connection with the goddess Aphrodite? Almost every statue I have seen of her-the love goddess-she is holding an apple. Just guessing here.
Posted by: Linda | 10 April 2007 at 08:00 AM
i seem to keep coming back to the hand of grace. Something is so precious there...
Posted by: wendy | 10 April 2007 at 08:55 AM
Love these door knockers, don't know if they are Fatima's hands which orginate from the middle east and are some kind of good luck charm. Eve was supposed to have given Adam an apple, but I wonder?
Posted by: carolyn | 10 April 2007 at 12:04 PM
These are facinating and beautiful...
Posted by: mymelange | 10 April 2007 at 01:13 PM
Ah, yes, Corey... I will never look at my door the same. Nor any other I pass for that matter.
see you, g xo
Posted by: gracia | 10 April 2007 at 02:03 PM
I'd love to know all the meanings of those symbols: hands, rings, apples (or pomegranates)...
I felt I had to make researches...
I haven't found much so far... The hand door knockers are from the 19th century. Before that they were other shapes: rings or beasts.
But I didn't find why (nor how)the 19th century went for feminine hands...
You have aroused my curiosity there !!!
Corey Responds:
Ahha! Good! I know you will find the answers!! I do not think these are Fatima's Hands. They are from the 19th century, older handles are not the same, that is certain. I am thrilled to know you are taking this project on!!
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 10 April 2007 at 04:58 PM
"What knockers!"
"Why, thank you, Dr.!"
Posted by: carlene | 10 April 2007 at 08:14 PM
Beautiful photos, Corey. Yes, they are unique. And I like the idea of them holding pomegranites...doesn't that fruit symbolize love?
Posted by: susanna | 11 April 2007 at 04:10 AM
just passing threw,enjoyed the hands on doors.
Posted by: jessie lavon /purple cucumbers | 11 April 2007 at 09:18 AM
Derrière cette porte la paix de l'esprit et de l'âme ...
Posted by: kristin | 11 April 2007 at 12:33 PM
So cool.
I think Eve gave herself.
Posted by: Alison Whittington | 11 April 2007 at 08:36 PM
Hey , I have some knockers like that (how often do you get to hear THAT statement in your life-laughing))))
I also bought your Wonderful Beautiful photo at Art Espirit of the blue door and knocker and I LOVE IT.
Lv-U-2
S.
Posted by: Art Tea Life | 12 April 2007 at 02:01 AM
ART ESPRIT that is...!
Posted by: Art Tea Life | 12 April 2007 at 02:02 AM
I, too, took a picture of hand door knobs in Monchique, Portugal, but I haven't been able to find out the story behind them. Anybody know?
Posted by: Sandra | 04 May 2007 at 02:01 AM
Love these knockers- just been to Egypt where they are widespread - We thought they were hand of Fatima knockers but not yet sure. We bought 30 of them along with some doors they are special.
Posted by: Roy Shenton | 17 July 2007 at 08:11 PM