Door knocker in the shape of a small dog 15th or 16th century Spanish The later Middle Ages was practically a second Iron Age, producing vast quantities of armor, weaponry and all manner of functional objects from nails to elaborate strap work hinges, ornate locks and household tools. A highly specialized craft, the best ironsmiths took pride in bringing decorative refinement to their works often elaborating surfaces that could not be seen and transfiguring the functional into the figural. These door knockers are fine examples of the wit, humor, and skill the best ironsmiths could bring to their products.This door knocker is in the form of a small dog, the tang replacing the rear legs and the splayed front legs serving as the striker. The head has a long snubbed snout, an abstracted open mouth showing the tongue and short rounded ears with a circular depression below each. The eyes and nostrils are indicated by holes pressed into the malleable iron when hot. A collar rings its neck.. D