Strongbox - Brass - Dutch industrial

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

Special and imposing Dutch antique fireproof cabinet from G. van Heerde of Amsterdam, presumably made at the end of the 19th century.

The cabinet bears on the front the original brass factory/manufacturer 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 locking systems. Historical advertisements show that the firm was based at **Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 289–291 in Amsterdam** and presented itself as a manufacturer of safes.

What is remarkable is that the address on this fireproof cabinet matches the historic business address of the manufacturer.

Van Heerde safes are nowadays rare 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 an exceptionally heavy metal construction and a characteristic 19th-century appearance.

On the front there is a handsome, decoratively designed metal/brass rotary handle. The heavy door is equipped with a mechanical locking mechanism.

The interior is finished in a light color and equipped with several shelves, indicating that the cabinet was originally probably intended for the fireproof storage of documents, securities, cash books, and other valuable possessions.

The combination of the heavy construction, the historic hardware, the elegant rotary 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 hardware, and stylistic features, the cabinet is provisionally dated to the last quarter of the 19th century, circa 1880–1900.

An exact production year is not known.

## Condition

The cabinet is in an original, used, and unrestored state, with clear signs of age and use.

The exterior has a green finish and shows localized varnish loss, scratches, discolorations, and superficial corrosion. The varnish may have been locally touched up in the past.

The interior also shows signs of use and age.

These marks have intentionally not been restored and contribute to the authentic industrial character of the object.

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

## Notable collectible object

Because of its Dutch origin, the clearly recognizable manufacturer, the original maker plate, and its age, this safe is more than just a functional cabinet.

It is a fine piece of **Dutch industrial heritage** and a particularly decorative item for example:
- a collection of historical safes or locks, an industrial or classical interior, office, boardroom, hotel, restaurant, shop or showroom.

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

## Transport

This is a very heavy object.

We can deliver this anywhere

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