Vintage Door Knocker - Solid Brass Pineapple - Made in USA - Home Improvements - Housewarming buying Present - Unique Birthday Gift - Eco Friendly

Item:
Virginia Metalcrafters Newport Pineapple Door Knocker (each sold separately)

Approximate Dimensions:
6.5 in. long x 4 in. wide

Condition:
Used / Good
Item has patina

Item Reads:
NEWPORT
HARVIN
4022

History:
The W.S. Loth Stove Company was first founded in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1890. During this time their main products were cast iron stoves, wood buying and coal heaters. However, as these items became less popular and the market needed far less of them, they chose to adapt competitively and began producing small iron and brass gift ware. At this time in 1938, the company changed its name to Virginia Metalcrafters. Shortly after these changes had been made, V.M. found their production come to a halt due to WWII as brass was much needed for the war effort. V.M. only resumed with the line of gift ware (then extended) once the war ended and brass once again became available. In 1956 V.M. purchased the Harvin Company of Baltimore, which had been makers of fine brass ware. While this brass door knocker connects more rightly with the later company, there's actually very little information regarding it to pull from.

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Pineapples have long since been a symbol of welcoming and hospitality and there's good reason for it, particularly when it comes to Europe.

In November of 1493 the first contact between a European and a pineapple was recorded. Christopher Columbus, already on his second voyage to the Caribbean, found himself ashore to inspect a "deserted" Carib village. Through the dense tropic fauna, his crew stumbled upon mounds of freshly gathered vegetables and fruits strange to them. These European sailors ate and wrote about their experiences with the "new" fruit.

"An abrasive, segmented exterior like a pine cone and a firm interior pulp like an apple".

During these times, refined cane sugar and fresh fruit were extremely expensive and more so - rare. When Columbus returned to Europe, he boasted is findings of the pineapple to the royal court, where it was immediately a big hit. However, it would take nearly two hundred years for gardeners to be able to grow these exotic fruits in a greenhouse. In the 17th century, the pineapple, still so rare, was coveted by King Charles II of England so much that he posed for an official portrait receiving the highly sought after fruit as a gift.

Likewise, it's noted that when sailors returned from their tropic seas, they'd often return with a bountiful harvest of pineapple. They would leave these fruit upon their doorstep to announce their safe return.

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Please note: All vintage and antique items are sold in "As Is" condition.