Malta27 Traditional front door knocker

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Malta
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Maltese door-knockers
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In Maltese the knockers are also know as
il-Habbata and they are very beautiful, unusual
and elaborate and can be described as truly works
of art. 
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The popular Maltese Dolphin seen on front doors
in Valletts and across Malta. Ancient Greeks
believed the dolphin was the carrier of souls of
the dead to the islands of the Blessed 
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Mdina Casa Testaferrata Palace
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Many townhouses have brass knockers on the front
door, the door is also usually painted in a
vibrant colour that makes it stick out from all
the other houses neatly lined in a row
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Door knockers could be made of metal (brass) or
even with a polished chrome finish
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Each door usually had two knockers one on each
side, or wing, of the main door
The Old Priory Imtarfa
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Sometimes the knocker ball was transformed into
the head of a slave, an animal, a gargoyle, or a
family crest. The upper classes and the members
of the aristocracy had large baroque brass door
knockers fixed to their main doors, in order to
impress any visitor who might come to call
Palazzo Parisio Naxxar
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As time passed, mechanical doorbells and
intercoms started to take the place of door
knockers, in that these were actually cheaper and
produced a louder sound. Nonetheless, many people
not only maintain the traditional knockers, but
also continue to commission new designs, in a bid
to conserve and highlight the unique identity of
Malta, and preserve its heritage
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Door knockers also advertised the level of
cleanliness of the house, as their shine would
show the visitor that the family could employ
maids who took care to polish and wax such
decorations regularly
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The sea-faring nature of the island was reflected
in many of the most recurrent motifs like
dolphins, seahorses, and sirens.
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Maltese Artist - Cedric Galea Pirotta 2008
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Maltese Artist - Cedric Galea Pirotta 2008
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Replica brass dolphin door-knockers, as seen in
Malta and other old quarters, are favourite
souvenirs.  Wrought ironwork is a local tradition
and items range from candlesticks to an entire
suit or armour
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Sanda Foisoreanu
2017
Sound The Travellers - A?? Xemx u Xita