Knocker

Art Historical Context

This elegant brass knocker, crafted by an unknown artist between 1800 and 1830, exemplifies early American decorative arts from the Federal period. Measuring just 8 inches high, it was designed for practical use—likely on a door—while serving as a statement of national pride. The eagle motif, a recurring tag associated with the piece, reflects the bird's prominence as a symbol of American independence and strength, inspired by the Great Seal of United States adopted in 2. Housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, thanks to the John Stewart Kennedy Fund acquired in 1918, t...