Owning a centuries-old home in the heart of historic Lucca is both an honor and a profound responsibility — something we’ve come to appreciate even more deeply over time. Our building has stood strong for around 400 years, with the front section of the Palazzo dating back nearly 800 years. When we purchased our apartment, we entered a process steeped in Italian tradition, subject to cultural heritage restrictions.
We believe our home offers the best of both worlds. The previous owners, who thoughtfully renovated the apartment about 12 years ago, managed to modernize it with care, preserving the structure’s original charm and patina. Their work provided a foundation for us to build on while respecting the essence of this historic space.
Our recent quest for the perfect antique lion doorknockers was yet another reminder of the unique considerations that come with a home like this. As we searched, we realized that this process wasn’t just about choosing hardware; it was about balancing our personal vision with the deep history embedded in every corner. Those lion knockers started a journey that taught us more than we anticipated.
The Lion Hunt
We’d envisioned replacing our simple brass knobs with something grander—a matched set of lion doorknockers. As we searched, I became captivated by the variety of doorknockers and knobs around town. Before I knew it, my phone was filled with photos of them — everything from fierce lions to simple rings, each one unique. Each new find only fueled our determination to find the perfect lions to grace our own door.
We combed the monthly antique market in Lucca, weaving through tables and stalls filled with trinkets. But finding two lions that matched was like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Each time we got close, we’d find only mismatched pairs or ones that didn’t feel quite right.
After striking out at the monthly antiques market, we decided to visit a shop we pass all the time, thinking maybe they’d have what we were looking for. We sifted through the store’s seemingly endless antique treasures and unearthed two lion knockers—similar but not identical. The shop owner suggested we come back later in the afternoon, promising to look through his stock for the mates.
The Perfect Pair?
That afternoon, we returned to the shop, and true to his word, the shopkeeper presented us with two lion knockers that looked remarkably alike. Pleased with our find, we purchased them, already envisioning them gracing our door with a stately presence.
Back home, we unwrapped our new treasures and inspected them more closely. Our excitement gave way to hesitation; something felt off. The knockers seemed just a little too perfect. Their patina was suspiciously uniform, their edges unnaturally smooth—more like reproductions than the timeworn antiques we’d imagined.
A bit deflated, we began to wonder if we’d been duped, but as we thought it over, we realized it might have been a simple matter of semantics. The shopkeeper hadn’t actually promised us the exact mates to the ones in his display. He’d merely said, “Come back after lunch, and I’ll have some for you.” In hindsight, perhaps he genuinely thought he was doing us a favor, serving as our personal shopper and picking up a fresh set on our behalf.
A Change of Heart
When our falegname (carpenter) came to install the lions, Dario struck up a friendly conversation with him. He was clearly intrigued by our choice to swap out our door knobs. Midway through the installation, he paused, and asked if we were sure we wanted to replace them. “Whatever you do,” he advised in Italian, “hold onto these original door knobs.”
His question gave us pause, and we realized that the original knobs, though simple, held an understated charm that suited the door and building perfectly. After inspecting the lion knockers more closely, he confirmed our suspicions — they were indeed replicas, not the antique treasures we had hoped for.
Recognizing our mistake, we made the decision to keep our original door knobs and, slightly embarrassed, we asked him to stop working. By then, however, he had already drilled two holes! Thankfully, he was able to fill them, but it was a close call. This experience reminded us of the beauty in the authentic details that don’t require any embellishment.
The Value of Being Good Stewards
Looking back, our lion knocker adventure was a small yet meaningful reminder of the responsibility we have as caretakers of this historic home. Though renovated, our apartment is part of the building’s legacy, and our role is to make thoughtful choices that complement rather than compete with its character. In our eagerness to add our own personal touch, we almost overlooked the understated beauty of what was already there.
Some of our friends in Lucca own incredible historic properties adorned with frescos and locally crafted Tessieri tiles, adding a layer of richness and artistry unique to the region. While our home may not boast such elaborate features, its rustic wooden beam ceilings and simple brass knobs quietly embody centuries of history. These details speak volumes about resilience and heritage. They tell a story of lives lived here, of hands that turned these very knobs, and of a home that has stood the test of time.
Owning pieces of history is both a privilege and a responsibility that influences our choices in unexpected ways. Each antique carries the weight of past lives, styles, and stories, and our role is to honor these layers, not overwrite them. That’s why we’ve filled our home mostly with antiques—each piece tells a unique story through its imperfections: worn edges, small nicks, and the patina of time. These marks aren’t flaws; they’re memories, adding depth and character to our space.
I once thought owning antiques meant handling them with extreme care, but I’ve come to realize there's a certain freedom in owning such pieces. While we certainly take care of them, their years of wear already tell a story. We're not trying to perfect them; instead, we’re simply adding our own chapter to their long, rich history.
In their simplicity, these pieces remind us that our home has weathered centuries, bearing the imprints of those who came before us. Now, it’s our turn to carry this legacy forward, honoring the beauty in each mark and memory.
Embracing the Charm of Our Home’s History
While the lions won’t grace our door, they’ve become a part of our home’s story in another way. The patched holes serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between adding a personal touch and honoring what’s already been carefully preserved. Stewardship, we’re learning, isn’t just about protecting the past; it’s about finding joy in the quirks and imperfections that make our home truly special. Here’s to the plain, dignified knobs, and the gentle reminders they offer every time we walk through that well-worn door.
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