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Rare 17thC Spanish Baroque Iron StrongBox on Stand

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Rare 17thC Spanish Baroque Iron StrongBox on Stand Strong box 17thc strong box Spanish strong box %%alt5%% %%alt6%%
The beautifully sculptural and decorative, yet fully functioning, iron strong box, of Spanish origin, the rectangular casket having paneled sides with large drop carrying handles, the heavy duty four gated lock opening with the original key to reveal a vacant interior, the whole sitting on the original ornate baroque iron stand with scroll decoration, to twisted and scrolled feet, and surviving from the second half of the seventeenth century in super condition.

In very good overall order, the strong box has pitting and weathering as one would expect with some small amount of rusted wear, but being so well made, it has barely changed since its construction with the centuries of handling giving it a wonderful dark patina. Mechanically she is sound with the lid and lock functioning correctly and the whole structurally sound. The key appears to be the original and the stand is also original to the box.

Not until the sixteenth century were money chests and cash boxes first forged completely in sheet iron and reinforced with intersecting strips and fittings made of iron. They were forged by skilled blacksmiths in southern Germany, Austria and France. Made of the heaviest iron construction by European craftsmen, these chests were sold to the sailing nations, including Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and England. Used to transport and secure gold, silver, documents and other valuables, once loaded and locked, they would be incredibly difficult to move. In the Georgian period people started to refer to these boxes as "Armada Chests" because they were found on old shipwreck sites and it was assumed that they belonged to the Spanish Armada.

This example is less ornate than others seen of the period, particularly German examples that were sometimes painted and adorned, with the locking mechanisms sometimes also displayed within the lid. It may have been a seafarer's example but the presence of a stand points to it being kept in one place for the majority of the time.

With the rarely seen sculptural baroque base this is the most elegant strong box we have encountered and it really does work in a contemporary setting… what secrets did our Spanish knight keep?
Price
£1850.00  UK
$2316.02  USA
€2228.70  EU
 The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 23/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.  Phone or visit the website to buy, Free UK shipping.
 
Category Antique Locks, Keys and Safes Date c.1660-90  Late 17th Century Antiques Material Iron Origin Spanish Item code as155a1697 / 1742 Status Sold

SellerDoe And Hope

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Doe And Hope
Doe and HopePrivate dealer, By appointment only
The Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL

Tel : 07729 213013

Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013

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Rare 17thC Spanish Baroque Iron StrongBox on Stand
 
as155a1697 / 1742
 


 
 






 

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