Contact Seller
Royal House Antiques
Tel07850890032Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Non UK callers :
+44 7850890032
Museum Quality C.1680-1720 German Safe Strongbox
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this important, Museum Quality German safe circa 1680-1720 attributed to Johann Gottlied Dittman and Sigmund Gatchen
Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price
Where to begin, if you are looking at this listing then the chances are you know something about antique safes, if you do, then you will recognise just how rare this piece is, I have in all my online research only found one other that was in a terrible condition, it sold in the Sotheby’s Carlton Towers sale on the 4th November 2009, the sale price was £73,250 plus commission which at the time was 30% making the final sale amount £95,225 This example was missing the original key, all the silver finish had polished off and it was rusty, mine by comparison is in absolutely sublime order throughout
The original key is present, it operates the exceptionally heavy top lock which has 22 separate locks, each lock works independently so if a thief tried to force one open, it would have no affect on the remaining 21 locks
The front of the safe depicts a bird possibly an eagle, the top has a medieval locking plate cover which splits down the middle to reveal the entrance to the lock, it looks similar to a fleur de lis, it springs closed when the key is removed and has its own lock, it has a secret to unlock it, if you don’t know it, you can never fit the key. The sides have oversized handles as they need to be, the safe must weight in excess of 100kgs, the rear has a similar medieval crest
The finish is sublime, truly exquisite, this is a work of art and will be the centre piece and pride of any collection, I have absolutely no desire to sell it whatsoever, if it stays in my collection forever so be it, I will never have the chance to own such a piece again and it is an absolute pleasure to see it each day
For a similar strong box signed to the interior by Dittman and Gatchen and worthy of comparison see a very fine example from The Alphonse de Rothschild Collection which was sold on the 26th of March 1973 at the De Rede sale in Monaco as lot 167. The Rothschild box featured bold architectural detailing, hounds to the lid and was also raised on a stand.
Condition wise, there will be some losses, I can note some of the edges of the leaf detailing are missing, some of the old pin nails have worked their way free over the centuries, the safe 100% works as it should do and nothing you put in here is every coming out without the key
Dimensions
Height:- 86cm
Width:- 89cm
Depth:- 52cm
Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask
Any questions please feel free to ask. Payments
We accept payment via Bitcoin, Bitcoin cash, Ethereum, Bacs, Chaps, PayPal or Card, we would kindly ask that all items are paid for within 48 hours and collected within 7 working days, we can hold all paid items for 14 days free of charge, there after a £20 a week storage fee will apply. We have long term storage which is very economically priced, we are happy to hold stock for as long as needed providing it is arranged prior to the purchase.
If sold items aren’t collected within three months and no arrangements have been made for long term storage you will forfeit the item and payment.
SellerRoyal House Antiques
View all stock from
Royal House Antiques
Private dealer, online
By appointment only
Wimbledon
London
Tel : 07850890032
Non UK callers : +44 7850890032
Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price
Where to begin, if you are looking at this listing then the chances are you know something about antique safes, if you do, then you will recognise just how rare this piece is, I have in all my online research only found one other that was in a terrible condition, it sold in the Sotheby’s Carlton Towers sale on the 4th November 2009, the sale price was £73,250 plus commission which at the time was 30% making the final sale amount £95,225 This example was missing the original key, all the silver finish had polished off and it was rusty, mine by comparison is in absolutely sublime order throughout
The original key is present, it operates the exceptionally heavy top lock which has 22 separate locks, each lock works independently so if a thief tried to force one open, it would have no affect on the remaining 21 locks
The front of the safe depicts a bird possibly an eagle, the top has a medieval locking plate cover which splits down the middle to reveal the entrance to the lock, it looks similar to a fleur de lis, it springs closed when the key is removed and has its own lock, it has a secret to unlock it, if you don’t know it, you can never fit the key. The sides have oversized handles as they need to be, the safe must weight in excess of 100kgs, the rear has a similar medieval crest
The finish is sublime, truly exquisite, this is a work of art and will be the centre piece and pride of any collection, I have absolutely no desire to sell it whatsoever, if it stays in my collection forever so be it, I will never have the chance to own such a piece again and it is an absolute pleasure to see it each day
For a similar strong box signed to the interior by Dittman and Gatchen and worthy of comparison see a very fine example from The Alphonse de Rothschild Collection which was sold on the 26th of March 1973 at the De Rede sale in Monaco as lot 167. The Rothschild box featured bold architectural detailing, hounds to the lid and was also raised on a stand.
Condition wise, there will be some losses, I can note some of the edges of the leaf detailing are missing, some of the old pin nails have worked their way free over the centuries, the safe 100% works as it should do and nothing you put in here is every coming out without the key
Dimensions
Height:- 86cm
Width:- 89cm
Depth:- 52cm
Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask
Any questions please feel free to ask. Payments
We accept payment via Bitcoin, Bitcoin cash, Ethereum, Bacs, Chaps, PayPal or Card, we would kindly ask that all items are paid for within 48 hours and collected within 7 working days, we can hold all paid items for 14 days free of charge, there after a £20 a week storage fee will apply. We have long term storage which is very economically priced, we are happy to hold stock for as long as needed providing it is arranged prior to the purchase.
If sold items aren’t collected within three months and no arrangements have been made for long term storage you will forfeit the item and payment.
Price
Arrange a final price and delivery details directly with the dealer
Click here to message the seller
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.
Category Antique Locks, Keys and Safes
Date 1690-1720
Material Iron
Origin German
Item code as968a2870
Status For Sale
£120000.00 
$150228.00
€144564.00
$150228.00
€144564.00
Looking to Buy?
Payment with PayPal is availableArrange a final price and delivery details directly with the dealer
Click here to message the seller
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.
Shipping information
DELIVERY AND COLLECTION
For an accurate delivery quote please contact us with your postcode and be sure to include which item you would like to buy as the price is determined on size and distance. If you would like more than one piece of furniture we offer a substantial discount on the second and third item.
For international shipping please contact us with your full address for an accurate delivery quote and be sure to include which item you would like to buy as the price is determined on the size on location.
COURIER (LARGE ITEMS ONLY THAT CAN’T BE POSTED)
We prefer collection on all items from Wimbledon SW19-3BE, If you have your own courier or wish to book the collection in yourself we are happy to accommodate you.
We can arrange delivery nationwide, please confirm the delivery amount before you buy and not after.
Whoever delivers will usually require some help on the larger items to unload, if this is not possible please let us know as it will affect the price to send a two man team.
Delivery is to the ground floor only, again if you need help upstairs or in flats etc that's absolutely not a problem, the couriers charge £10 per flight per man per item, if you have a working elevator then naturally there’s no additional fee.
I’m happy to accommodate your own courier after a cleared payment has been received, they need to book in a collection time with at least 24 hours notice, all collections must be made within 7 working days of the close of the auction unless agreed by prior arrangement.
For an accurate delivery quote please contact us with your postcode and be sure to include which item you would like to buy as the price is determined on size and distance. If you would like more than one piece of furniture we offer a substantial discount on the second and third item.
For international shipping please contact us with your full address for an accurate delivery quote and be sure to include which item you would like to buy as the price is determined on the size on location.
COURIER (LARGE ITEMS ONLY THAT CAN’T BE POSTED)
We prefer collection on all items from Wimbledon SW19-3BE, If you have your own courier or wish to book the collection in yourself we are happy to accommodate you.
We can arrange delivery nationwide, please confirm the delivery amount before you buy and not after.
Whoever delivers will usually require some help on the larger items to unload, if this is not possible please let us know as it will affect the price to send a two man team.
Delivery is to the ground floor only, again if you need help upstairs or in flats etc that's absolutely not a problem, the couriers charge £10 per flight per man per item, if you have a working elevator then naturally there’s no additional fee.
I’m happy to accommodate your own courier after a cleared payment has been received, they need to book in a collection time with at least 24 hours notice, all collections must be made within 7 working days of the close of the auction unless agreed by prior arrangement.
Terms and conditions
CONDITION
Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition
Please also ask any questions before you buy and not after, all of our items are sold as seen and as listed.
Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition
Please also ask any questions before you buy and not after, all of our items are sold as seen and as listed.
View all stock from
Royal House Antiques
Private dealer, onlineBy appointment only
Wimbledon
London
Tel : 07850890032
Non UK callers : +44 7850890032
You may also be interested in
Antique Dutch Armada Chest 1588-1600.
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An Impressive 19th Century 'Armada' Silver Chest
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