Strongbox - Brass - Dutch industrial

Rare antique fireproof safe / vault – G. van Heerde Amsterdam – late 19th century

Remarkable and imposing **antique Dutch fireproof safe from G. van Heerde of Amsterdam**, probably manufactured at the end of the 19th century.

The cabinet bears on the front the original brass factory/maker plate with the inscription:

**G. VAN HEERDE**
**N.Z. VOORBURGWAL E 289 / 291**
**AMSTERDAM**

## G. van Heerde – Amsterdam

G. van Heerde was a historic Amsterdam manufacturer of fireproof safes and hardware. Historical advertisements show that the firm was located at **Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 289–291 in Amsterdam** and presented itself as a manufacturer of safes.

What is special is that the address on this safe corresponds to the historic establishment address of the manufacturer.

Van Heerde safes today appear only sporadically on the market, making this an interesting object for collectors of historical safes, Dutch industrial heritage, and 19th-century business interiors.

## Construction

The safe has a particularly heavy metal construction and a characteristic 19th-century appearance.

On the front there is a lovely, decoratively executed metal/brass turn handle. The heavy door is equipped with a mechanical locking mechanism.

The interior is finished in a light color and fitted with several shelves, so the cabinet was originally probably intended for the fire-safe storage of documents, valuable papers, ledgers, and other valuable possessions.

The combination of the heavy construction, the historic hardware, the graceful handle, and the original G. van Heerde factory plate gives the cabinet a particularly authentic character.

## Dating

Based on the historic address of G. van Heerde, the construction method, the locking mechanism, and the stylistic features, the safe is **tentatively dated to the last quarter of the 19th century, circa 1880–1900**.

An exact production year is not known.

## Condition

The safe is in an **original, used, and unrestored state**, with clear signs of aging and use.

The exterior has a green finish and shows localized lacquer loss, scratches, discolorations, and superficial corrosion. The lacquer may have been touch-up in places in the past.

The interior also shows signs of use and aging.

These signs have deliberately not been restored and contribute to the authentic industrial character of the object.

See the photos for a good impression of the condition; these form an important part of the description.

## Special collectible object

Due to its Dutch origin, the clearly identifiable manufacturer, the original maker plate, and its age, this safe is more than just a functional vault.

It is a handsome piece of **Dutch industrial heritage** and a particularly decorative object for example:

- a collection of historical safes or locks, an industrial or classical interior, office, boardroom, hotel, restaurant, shop, or showroom.

Thanks to its size and appearance it is also an impressive statement piece.

## Transport

This is a **very heavy object**.

We can arrange delivery anywhere

**Manufacturer:** G. van Heerde
**Place:** Amsterdam, Netherlands
**Address on maker plate:** N.Z. Voorburgwal E 289/291
**Period:** probably ca. 1880–1900
**Object:** fireproof safe / vault / strongbox
**Material:** metal/steel with metal/brass fittings
**Condition:** antique, used and unrestored
**Dimensions:** [height] × [width] × [depth] cm
**Weight:** approximately [weight] kg
**Key:** [present / not present]
**Operation of locking mechanism:** [working / not tested]