Key (5) - Small antique keys
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Selected by Paul Wullems
He accumulated 18 years' experience, worked as junior specialist at Sotheby’s and managed Kunsthandel Jacques Fijnaut.
Estimate € 180 - € 220
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A lot of five small wrought-iron keys in assorted designs, estimated to date from 1450–1500.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Lot of 5 small antique iron keys from a chest, box and safe - XV/XIX century
Interesting lot of five small antique iron keys, all 6.3 to 10 cm long and intended for chests, caskets, small furniture and safes. The five keys cover several centuries of ironworking, from the rustic hand-forged key to Victorian safety keys with pierced bar. It is an ideal set to start or enrich a collection, or for a themed display.
1) Small key with heart-shaped ring - 15th century
The oldest in the lot: rustic wrought-iron key with an oval heart ring (with recessed tip), cylindrical shaft with pierced bore and simple ward with a notch. The forging and hand stamping marks are clearly visible. Length 6.3 cm, weight 14 g.
2) Small key with Rococo scroll ring - 18th century
Elegant ring with two symmetric C-shaped scrolls, Rococo taste, with a turned collar of multiple rings, pierced boron shaft and a smooth-edged ward. Length 7.5 cm, weight 23 g.
3) Safe key with comb ward - early 19th century
Oval ring with a small recess in the center, turned multi-ring collar and a comb ward with multiple teeth and a wide horizontal gap, typical of early 19th-century security locks. Length 7.5 cm, weight 32 g.
4) Safe key with balustre shaft and Greek-key ward - late 18th/early 19th century
Simple oval ring, balustre shaft with several turned nodes and a knop at the end. The ward is pierced with a Greek-key (meander) design. Length 9.3 cm, weight 34 g.
5) Key with incised band ring and cross ward - 19th century
ring with a “band” motif, i.e., a wide band incised with volutes and small circles, with a small heart tip on top. It has a knurled hexagonal collar and a pierced ward with a cross pattern. Length 10 cm, weight 56 g.
The indicated eras are estimates based on form, workmanship and materials.
DETAILS
- Number of objects: 5 keys
- Material: wrought iron
- Era: from the 15th to the 19th century
- Lengths: 6.3 cm - 7.5 cm - 7.5 cm - 9.3 cm - 10 cm
- Total weight: about 159 g
- Function: all keys are functioning (sold without locks)
CONDITION
Overall very good condition for their age, with the natural dark patina of iron and typical signs of time. No known restorations. Please study all photos carefully, they are part of the description.
SHIPPING
Small items: professionally packaged and shipped with insured and trackable courier.
Lot of 5 small antique iron keys from a chest, box and safe - XV/XIX century
Interesting lot of five small antique iron keys, all 6.3 to 10 cm long and intended for chests, caskets, small furniture and safes. The five keys cover several centuries of ironworking, from the rustic hand-forged key to Victorian safety keys with pierced bar. It is an ideal set to start or enrich a collection, or for a themed display.
1) Small key with heart-shaped ring - 15th century
The oldest in the lot: rustic wrought-iron key with an oval heart ring (with recessed tip), cylindrical shaft with pierced bore and simple ward with a notch. The forging and hand stamping marks are clearly visible. Length 6.3 cm, weight 14 g.
2) Small key with Rococo scroll ring - 18th century
Elegant ring with two symmetric C-shaped scrolls, Rococo taste, with a turned collar of multiple rings, pierced boron shaft and a smooth-edged ward. Length 7.5 cm, weight 23 g.
3) Safe key with comb ward - early 19th century
Oval ring with a small recess in the center, turned multi-ring collar and a comb ward with multiple teeth and a wide horizontal gap, typical of early 19th-century security locks. Length 7.5 cm, weight 32 g.
4) Safe key with balustre shaft and Greek-key ward - late 18th/early 19th century
Simple oval ring, balustre shaft with several turned nodes and a knop at the end. The ward is pierced with a Greek-key (meander) design. Length 9.3 cm, weight 34 g.
5) Key with incised band ring and cross ward - 19th century
ring with a “band” motif, i.e., a wide band incised with volutes and small circles, with a small heart tip on top. It has a knurled hexagonal collar and a pierced ward with a cross pattern. Length 10 cm, weight 56 g.
The indicated eras are estimates based on form, workmanship and materials.
DETAILS
- Number of objects: 5 keys
- Material: wrought iron
- Era: from the 15th to the 19th century
- Lengths: 6.3 cm - 7.5 cm - 7.5 cm - 9.3 cm - 10 cm
- Total weight: about 159 g
- Function: all keys are functioning (sold without locks)
CONDITION
Overall very good condition for their age, with the natural dark patina of iron and typical signs of time. No known restorations. Please study all photos carefully, they are part of the description.
SHIPPING
Small items: professionally packaged and shipped with insured and trackable courier.
Details
Era
1400-1900
Weight
160 g
Iron type
Wrought iron
Number of objects
5
Country of Origin
Europe
Material
Iron
Condition
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear
Height
6.3 cm
Width
2 cm
Depth
1 cm
Estimated period
1450-1500
Title additional information
Small antique keys
