Michael Healy - Artistic Decorative Door Knockers and Doorbell Ringers

Welcome to Rhode Island artisan Michael Healy's Unique Door Knockers and Doorbell Ringers. Since 1997 Michael Healy Door Knockers have been knocking on doors across the nation. What a wonderful housewarming, wedding, or gift for yourself that will brighten one's life's view each and every day. This line is available in the contiguous U.S. Please contact us for all other areas.

Many of the knockers we carry have companion or matching illuminated doorbell ringers. Our selection pieces are cast in solid brass and bronze, as this finish most often matches door hardware. The mirrored finish is achieved through varying degrees of sanding and buffing. This finish is often used to highlight or accent the points or raised areas on a piece. Each knocker receives a baked polyurethane coating or a statuary lacquer before leaving production. Similar to the protective finish used on cars, these coatings provide a shield against the elements.

Dog Knockers™ are Michael Healy's newest creation—all 16 breed pieces and coordinating Paw Doorbell Ringer cast in solid bronze and handcrafted using the age-old art of foundry casting. During this process, molten bronze is heated to over 2200ºF and then carefully poured into a handmade sand mold. This mold can only be used only once, giving your piece its individual character. The knockers are treated with a dark patina, then hand polished and coated with a clear lacquer to protect its original finish. In order to confirm authenticity and quality craftsmanship, each knocker is signed by artist Michael Healy.

Tender Loving Care
Your Door Knocker can be maintained for years of use and enjoyment provided that some basic care and attention is given to its preservation. Be sure to minimize or eliminate conditions that can cause damage.

Your Door Knocker has been coated with a baked catalyzed polyurethane, similar to the clear

top coat on an automobile. Occasionally wash it using a sponge with water and a mild soap to help maintain the vibrant shine. Coating it with a paste wax will also greatly extend the life of the finish. Do not use a brass cleaner or an abrasive pad; this will damage the clear coating and the original polished finish.

Lacquer brass and bronze can usually withstand corrosion as long as the coating is not broken. Where there are losses in the coating, corrosion will progress, usually seen as dark streaking where unprotected areas have oxidized.

Attaching your Door Knocker
1. Hold Knocker in desired position on your door and mark hole locations with pencil.
2. Drill guide holes using a 1/8 inch drill bit. Screws accept Phillip’s head screwdriver. You don't need to drill through entire door to install.
Each knocker comes with 2 machine screws designed for surface mounting on both metal and wood doors.
3. Some designs require body of Knocker be removed before mounting bracket can be attached.
4. Screw mounting bracket into desired position. If required, re-attach body of Knocker to mounting bracket. (Each Knocker has mounting
bracket and striker plate that attach to door. The face of knocker lifts and hits against the plate.)

About the Artist
Michael Healy was born and raised on the Cape Cod seashore. Though New England has always been his home base, by the age of ten his father's Air Force career had carried Michael halfway around the globe, exposing him to a variety of cultures which fueled a desire to express himself artistically. At the university of Notre Dame Michael studied metal sculpture. Here, he learned century old bronze casting techniques, and developed a passion for design. After a tour of duty in the Air Force, his marriage and the birth of his four children, Michael chose to use his knowledge and interest in metal work to open his own foundry on the banks of the Blackstone River in Rhode Island.

Michael’s artistic style is very identifiable. He is known for his ability to skillfully combine quality materials into sculptural yet functional forms. He is particularly noted for his talent for turning an everyday object into a unique sculpture.

Michael worked casting architectural bronze and restoring historic statues throughout New England before shifting his focus to his own original artwork. Combining his knowledge of the foundry sand casting process and his own desire to create highly functional forms of art, Michael was inspired to develop his famous line of unique door knockers. Thus started his venture making artistic decorative hardware for your home.

To ensure consistently high quality at all stages of the metal casting process, Michael Healy works from his own foundry in Rhode Island. A dedicated and passionate artist, he continues to design daily. Michael is assisted by a select group of talented artisans who handcraft each Door Knocker or Doorbell Ringer. This personal attention to detail guarantees that every door sculpture is truly special. Michael Healy signs each of his Door Knockers confirming its authenticity and quality craftsmanship.