Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art: Metals: Iron (15)

Interesting study collection of 16 miniature keys, each quite rarely seen since these would have been lost due to their small sizes, mostly 18th.-19th. century, a few probably 17th. century.

Such keys would have been used to unlock very small boxes and tiny coffins in the old days.

Sizes: 19-37 mm.

Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.

A rare folding key, probably British, and late 18th/19th. century.

This type of key is of course a 'must have' for serious Key and Lock collectors and quite difficult to find on the market.

Size: 196 mm. when opened and 113 mm. closed, making it a very large key of the type.

Condition: Good Very fine, excellent metal with minor rust and black patina.

Reff...

IOnteresting lot of some scarcer keys, all dating late 17th.-early 19th. century.

Size: 82-116 mm. in length.

Condition: Near VF to EF, the later ones of very good metal and quite attractive!

Ex. Danish Collection of keys.

A very attractive box-lock with large engraved plate, Austrian or South-German, 18th. century.

A large iron lock with decorations in the openwork, possibly from a large casket.

Size: 30,7 cm. long and 23,5 cm. tall.

Condition: Superb for the fragile type, nice patina and painted on the back of the openwork part to prevent rust.

Provenance: Danish Private collection of Grethe Pedersen, Ledøje, Denmark, ca. 1950-1997. Purchased in Wienna, 1967.

Interesting and attractive large key for a money chest, probably Italian c. 17th. century.

The key finely made sturdy design with a heart-shaped bow and a strong complex bit, solid stem.

Size: 13,8 cm.

Ex. Danish Collection of mainly iron keys - from the Roman period to the 17th. century.

An interesting small collection of 11 iron keys and different sizes, c. 17th. century, some perhaps slight later.

Lot includes several late 16th. century - 17th. century Gothic types for cupboards and passage doors as well as smaller 17th.-18th. century types.

Size: 10,7 cm. max and smaller.

Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.

Interesting slim design iron key, came with the Roman and early medieval keys, but probably c. 17th. century.

Condition: Nice VF, excellent metal.

Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.

A rare type of iron key from box or cabinet very, European c. later 16th. century.

An interesting key with a disc shaped decoration on the bow and complicated stem and bit.

Size: 92 mm. long.

Condition: Nice VF, good metal.

Ex. Danish Collection of keys.

A superb early vault or bankboks key in exceptional condition, still with the original blueing of the steel, late 17th. century.

Though relatively short the key is very substantial in hand and finely made, perhaps by a gunmaker. The stem is short and fluted, hollow made and the bit very sturdy with cut slots. Such a stem was a new invention for security keys in the period, making it much, much harder to copy.

Size: 90 mm...

A very beautiful late renaissance to early Baroque door lock plate, probably german or Northern Europe, c. late 16th.-early 17th. century.

Fine openwork style iron wrought and cut and nicely etched with floral decorations.

Size: 24,5 cm. long.

Ex. Danish Collection of keys.

Very attractive Iron lock, likely South-German, 16th.-17th. century.

The lock finely decorated with bird wings inside a heart shaped.

Size: 18,8 cm. long.

Condition: Choice for the early type and a lovely dark grey and brown iron patina.

Provenance: Danish Private collection of Grethe Pedersen, Ledøje, Denmark, (c.1950-1997). Purchased at Ole Jensen, Antique Dealer, 1967.

A very rare huge early vault or bankboks key, late 17th. century.

A massive key with a huge bit. Finely made, perhaps by a gunmaker. The hollow stem is long and fluted, and with a very large and elaborately made bit. Such a stem was a new invention for security keys in the period, making it much, much harder to copy. The bow compressed and with Gothic style decoration along the stem.

Size: Near 18 cm...

A large and exceptional late renaissance Iron lock with handle and original key, late 16th.-early 17th. century AD.

The lock is intact and tight of good metal, with the original grip / handle still inserted and with original key! Very unusual complete set. Attractive lock, finely decorated with engravings and cut metal.

Size: 29 cm. long and ca. 13 cm. tall. Very heavy! The key is ca. 12,6 cm. long and massive with a nice oval bow...

A lovely working condition cupboard lock, European baroque period, c. 1650-1680.

A very nice condition lock with it's matching key and ready to be installed in an antique cupboard or just for exhibition in a nice collection of early European metal antiques.

Size: c. 15 cm. long with the key being c. 9 cm. long.

Provenance: Danish Private collection of Grethe Pedersen, Ledøje, Denmark, ca. 1950-1997.

A wonderfully patinated massive iron cannon, Spain, ca. later 16th. century.

A large and impressive cannon for the type from very old collection - the cannon measure 15,2 cm. in height and 8,7 cm. wide at the base. The weight is around 3700 grams!

Provenance: Danish Private collection of Grethe Pedersen, Ledøje, Denmark, ca. 1950-1997. Purchased at Kastella, Copenhagen Antique Dealer, 1962.