Nautical Knot Doorstop

Effective and attractive, our doorstop has been constructed entirely from a single piece of jute rope. It’s actually a nautical knot known as a Monkey's Fist. Seafarers would use this weighty knot to help them throw a rope from ship to shore or between boats. The Monkey's Fist is also an effective way of throwing a lifeline to someone who’s fallen overboard and was even used occasionally as a weapon by sailors caught in tavern brawls.

This versatility is particularly impressive when you consider that jute starts life as a plant, with most of the world’s supply coming from either India or Bangladesh. Soaking the stem of the plant in water helps release fibres that can then be woven into products as diverse as rope, fabric or floor covering.

This nautical knot doorstop is a very literal reminder of the seascapes painted by JMW Turner. Although Turner is best known for the way he interpreted light and weather conditions, often using bold colours to bring an emotional quality to his work, he would also pay meticulous attention to practical details in his painting - including rigging and ropes.