Antique Door knocker - Aldaba de Oficio - 17th/18th century - Snake
02
days
03
hours
32
minutes
44
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Paul Wullems
He accumulated 18 years' experience, worked as junior specialist at Sotheby’s and managed Kunsthandel Jacques Fijnaut.
Estimate € 700 - € 900
 | €1 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143467 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Antique forged iron door latch from 17th/18th century France by Aldaba de Oficio, featuring a serpentine front, rough patina and dimensions 26 cm high, 14 cm wide, 8 cm deep.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
It’s a piece that fits directly into that fascinating category of professional door knockers, but with a much older and more symbolic twist than usual. What you have before you is a Gothic door knocker—or even proto-Gothic—hand-forged in iron, probably from the 17th/18th century, where function and myth intertwine in a single hammer strike.
The presence of the serpent on the front is not decorative caprice: in medieval and late medieval imagery, the serpent could be a guardian, a warning, an emblem of vigilance, or even a symbol of the blacksmith’s own guild, which mastered fire and the transformation of metal. Here it appears modeled with a stylized, almost totemic head, curving forward as if watching over the entrance. The iron’s body preserves that rough, ancient texture that only centuries and manual labor leave behind.
The central plate, with its jagged edges and irregular silhouette, reinforces the Gothic reading: there are no soft lines or complacent symmetry, but a hard, functional, almost warrior-like aesthetic. On the opposite end, the two sharp points recall arrows or claws, a motif very typical of preindustrial forge which aimed to convey strength and protection.
The conservation status is surprisingly good for a piece of this kind: the patina is deep and stable, and the main forms remain intact, allowing the original intent of the craftsman to be appreciated without the need for imaginative reconstructions.
An artisanal door knocker, a piece that announced the identity of the place or the artisan, serving as a visual mark and a declaration of character. A door knocker that did not merely summon you to the door, but told you who you were before you entered.
Shipped with certification and careful packaging.
Seller's Story
Vintage Shop SL is a prominent antique store that since 2010 has been committed to customer satisfaction and sustainability. This shop is not only a cultural treasure that preserves the history and heritage of our societies, but also strives to operate in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.
At Vintage Shop SL, we believe that customer service is essential to our success. Our highly trained team is dedicated to providing friendly, knowledgeable, and personalized service. We take pride in helping our customers find the perfect vintage pieces that fit their individual tastes and needs, ensuring their satisfaction and fostering lasting relationships.
But that's not all. At Vintage Shop SL, we also care about the sustainability of the business and its impact on the natural environment. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting responsible business practices.
On the one hand, we promote the circular economy and reuse by offering vintage items in excellent condition. By acquiring antiques at our shop, customers contribute to the conservation of natural resources by avoiding the production of new items and reducing the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and transportation.
Translated by Google TranslateIt’s a piece that fits directly into that fascinating category of professional door knockers, but with a much older and more symbolic twist than usual. What you have before you is a Gothic door knocker—or even proto-Gothic—hand-forged in iron, probably from the 17th/18th century, where function and myth intertwine in a single hammer strike.
The presence of the serpent on the front is not decorative caprice: in medieval and late medieval imagery, the serpent could be a guardian, a warning, an emblem of vigilance, or even a symbol of the blacksmith’s own guild, which mastered fire and the transformation of metal. Here it appears modeled with a stylized, almost totemic head, curving forward as if watching over the entrance. The iron’s body preserves that rough, ancient texture that only centuries and manual labor leave behind.
The central plate, with its jagged edges and irregular silhouette, reinforces the Gothic reading: there are no soft lines or complacent symmetry, but a hard, functional, almost warrior-like aesthetic. On the opposite end, the two sharp points recall arrows or claws, a motif very typical of preindustrial forge which aimed to convey strength and protection.
The conservation status is surprisingly good for a piece of this kind: the patina is deep and stable, and the main forms remain intact, allowing the original intent of the craftsman to be appreciated without the need for imaginative reconstructions.
An artisanal door knocker, a piece that announced the identity of the place or the artisan, serving as a visual mark and a declaration of character. A door knocker that did not merely summon you to the door, but told you who you were before you entered.
Shipped with certification and careful packaging.
Seller's Story
Vintage Shop SL is a prominent antique store that since 2010 has been committed to customer satisfaction and sustainability. This shop is not only a cultural treasure that preserves the history and heritage of our societies, but also strives to operate in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.
At Vintage Shop SL, we believe that customer service is essential to our success. Our highly trained team is dedicated to providing friendly, knowledgeable, and personalized service. We take pride in helping our customers find the perfect vintage pieces that fit their individual tastes and needs, ensuring their satisfaction and fostering lasting relationships.
But that's not all. At Vintage Shop SL, we also care about the sustainability of the business and its impact on the natural environment. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting responsible business practices.
On the one hand, we promote the circular economy and reuse by offering vintage items in excellent condition. By acquiring antiques at our shop, customers contribute to the conservation of natural resources by avoiding the production of new items and reducing the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and transportation.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1400-1900
Over 200 years old
Yes
Title additional information
Snake
Material
Iron
Country of origin
France
Designer/artist/maker
Aldaba de Oficio
Style
Antique
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
26 cm
Width
14 cm
Depth
8 cm
Estimated period
17th/18th century
Sold by
