2172 – Door knocker: Devil figure

Physical description:

Small brass door knocker in the form of a grotesque grinning figure, with cloven hooves, holding a skull. Inscribed with the words "Penrhyn Devil".

Museum classification:

Satanism and Devil Worship

Size:

75 x 35 x 25

Information:

This type of door knocker is mentioned in a query in the journal 'Notes and Queries' in January 1919 by C.F. Doyle. He describes it as a knocker for a bedroom door and as quite new at that date. He is completely puzzled by it and there doesn't seem to have been any response to his query.
The head of the figure is at a strange angle suggesting a broken neck. It also has a chain around its neck and what look like shackles on one wrist and ankle.
An internet posting by Mike Jones of Llandudno in December 2008 says that he has a snuff box decorated with a similar figure and inscribed "Penhryn [sic] Hall Llandudno. Door Janitor".
Hannah Fox has also pointed out that the figure somewhat resembles a monkey. What looks like cloven hooves could be a monkey's large toes. If it was a monkey that would also explain the strange tilt of the head.

Resource:

Object

Materials:

Metal - brass

This type of door knocker is mentioned in a query in the journal 'Notes and Queries' in January 1919 by C.F. Doyle. He describes it as a knocker for a bedroom door and as quite new at that date. He is completely puzzled by it and there doesn't seem to have been any response to his query.
The head of the figure is at a strange angle suggesting a broken neck. It also has a chain around its neck and what look like shackles on one wrist and ankle.
An internet posting by Mike Jones of Llandudno in December 2008 says that he has a snuff box decorated with a similar figure and inscribed "Penhryn [sic] Hall Llandudno. Door Janitor".
Hannah Fox has also pointed out that the figure somewhat resembles a monkey. What looks like cloven hooves could be a monkey's large toes. If it was a monkey that would also explain the strange tilt of the head.