Massive bronze and iron door knocker, 18th/19th century. H 13 1/2".13.5" is from the top of the two dolphin tails, to the very bottom of the piece, below the chin of the face.It is 10" across at it's very widest.We tested the bar that moves up and down on the back,the part that would attach to the door, and it tested iron.The rest is bronze.From the Estate of Randolph Mickelson, 1215 Fifth AvenueMr. Mickelson was for many years Musical director of The Music Society of NewYork, which presented such artists as Crespin, Scotto and Christoff in unusual and littleknown operas.He has been consulted on questions of repertory and performance style, as well asvocal technique by the world's greatest singers.It is enough to name only a few: Caballe, Sutherland, Horne and Pavarotti.His reconstructions of the music of the earlier repertory include Rossini's L’Assediodi Corinto at La Scala recently called “By now legendary” in the Italian press. This hasbeen recorded by EMI, and produced at the Metropolitan opera. Serving as the muchpublicizeddebut of Beverly Sills.Other recordings of his work include:Graun Montezuma-Decca-Sutherland, BonyngeBonocini Griselda-Decca-Sutherland, BonyngeShield Rosina-Decca "Best of year in Great Britain"Rossini Rarities-RCA-Caballe "Grand Prix Du Disque"Cimarosa Arias-EMI-Amanda RoocroftAt New York’s Carnegie Hall, Mr. Mickelson’s reconstructions of Handel's GiulioCesare with Montserrat Caballè, and Semele with Horne, Battle, Blake, McNair andRamey. have been given. Semele was hailed by The New York Times as “the mostimportant and exciting event of the Handel Bicentenary.”Mr. Mickelson’s research into renaissance music has led to the performances oftwo masses by Gabrielli in the Basilica di San Marco in Venice. “The mass...has left thepublic with a profoundly moving memory...at the end of the performance tremendousapplause.”--La Nuova di VeneziaIn 1998 Mr. Mickelson’s edition of L’Orfeo of Claudio Monteverde, commissionedby the new Megalon concert-hall complex in Athens, Greece, served its inauguration.Orfeo was conducted by Claudio Scimone. This was also given in the same year bystudents of the Israel Vocal Arts institute, Tel-Aviv. The principal music critic of Israelwrote “This is an unprecedented event for us...the Opera Workshop has made history.Monteverde stood on the stage last night. He seemed to have arrived in our midst. Hespoke, and all this thanks to the brilliant reconstruction by Randolph Mickelson and theingenuity of the orchestration. This was in the style of Monteverde, more authentic thanauthentic....”Mr. Mickelson has taught technique of singing for more than 25 years; his pupilsinclude Frederica von Stade, Giacomo Aragall, Justino Diaz, Manfred Hemm, ManuelaCuster, and Francis Keeping.On the non musical side of his life, Mickelson, bon vivant, gourmet and raconteurlived in Venice first in Palazetto Pisani and later the first piano nobile of PalazzoBrandolini on the Grand Canal where he hosted galas, parties and concerts for entities suchas Save Venice Inc. His New Years Eve parties were legendary and were attended by theNoblesse and Royalty of Europe and Hollywood.

Good condition overall.Small piece on the top missing.It might have finished the top of the crest, not sure.This piece was not weighed but it might weigh as much as 20 pounds.