Fine small Gothic iron chest key, European,14th. century
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Ancient World: European Medieval: Pre 1492: Item # 1492464
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Ancient World: European Medieval: Pre 1492: Item # 1492464
$185.00
A fine smaller iron key from a chest, Gothic type, early renaissance, c. 14th. century AD.
The key with a complicated S-shaped bit and gothic compartement bow. The stem is square and then round and solid.
The decoration of Gothic iron locks and keys was often elaborate and of the highest standard of workmanship. The motifs were frequently drawn from Gothic architecture, reproducing on a miniature scale complicated tracery patterns and even tiny statuettes. A number of these tiny locks were compound, with some of the mechanisms concealed from view, and required two or even three keys used in sequence to open them. It has been suggested that the greatly expanded use of locks on doors, or coffrets and other types of storage chests was a result of the increasing urbanization of life and the new emphasis on material wealth and private ownership which developed in the late Middle Ages.
Size: 68 mm.
Condition: VF, intact with some corrosion, but nice and stable.
Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.
The key with a complicated S-shaped bit and gothic compartement bow. The stem is square and then round and solid.
The decoration of Gothic iron locks and keys was often elaborate and of the highest standard of workmanship. The motifs were frequently drawn from Gothic architecture, reproducing on a miniature scale complicated tracery patterns and even tiny statuettes. A number of these tiny locks were compound, with some of the mechanisms concealed from view, and required two or even three keys used in sequence to open them. It has been suggested that the greatly expanded use of locks on doors, or coffrets and other types of storage chests was a result of the increasing urbanization of life and the new emphasis on material wealth and private ownership which developed in the late Middle Ages.
Size: 68 mm.
Condition: VF, intact with some corrosion, but nice and stable.
Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.
