Brass · Fes, Marrakech

Brass Door Knocker (Heurtoir)

Decorative hand-shaped door knockers featuring the Hand of Fatima (khamsa) or geometric designs. Traditional riad architectural element.

History & Cultural Context

The heurtoir is a defining feature of Moroccan doors, especially in Fes and Marrakech riads. The Hand of Fatima design serves as protection against the evil eye. Pairs of knockers on a single door traditionally differentiated male and female visitors by sound.

Materials

Brass (cast)Solid brass, sand-cast or lost-wax cast

Production Techniques

Sand castingTraditional
Molten brass poured into sand molds shaped from a master pattern
Lost-wax castingTraditional
Wax model is encased in plaster, melted out, and replaced with molten brass

Production Notes

Sand-cast or lost-wax cast in brass, then hand-filed, polished, and sometimes patinated. Production: 1–3 days per piece.

Quality Indicators

Authenticity

File marks from hand-finishing

Quality

Heavy weight relative to size

Red Flags

Magnetic attraction

Price Ranges

Budget80 – 200 MAD(~$8 – $20)

Small, simple designs, lighter weight

Mid-range200 – 600 MAD(~$20 – $60)

Standard size, detailed khamsa or geometric design

Premium600 – 1500 MAD(~$60 – $150)

Large statement pieces, heavy solid brass