Steel door knocker, 1996.

Although steel is very hard, delicate shapes can be made without large industrial machines. Intricate pieces like this door knocker are made by heating the steel in a coke-fuelled forge and shaped using purpose-made tools. This knocker took a very experienced blacksmith several weeks to make as it contains a variety of shapes including acorns and empty cups which each required a different mould. Designed and made by Paul Allen, Rural Development Commision.