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A rare english 18th century bronze door knocker commemorating "the man of ross", john kyrle who lived at ross-on-wye in the 17th century, his dates being 1637 -1724. he was a famous philanthropist john kyrle was born in gloucestershire in 1637 but moved to ross on wye during the late seventeenth century. he was a wealthy bachelor who carried out a great deal of charitable work among the poor of the town, distributing free food and herbal medications. following his death in 1724, he left a considerable amount of money to the town and its residents. it was kyrle's money which financed the town's first piped water supply. the knocker is in bronze with some remains of the original gilt lacquer. england circa 1790. 4 inches high by 2 inches wide ( 10 cms by 5 cms).