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18th-Century French Master’s Lock
French Master’s Lock
18th Century
Ingeniously crafted with a hidden mechanism, this 18th-century French lock, known as a serrure de maîtrise, or master’s lock, was likely used by safemakers to demonstrate their locking systems to discerning clients. Before commissioning a costly safe, buyers could inspect such examples to evaluate the mechanism’s complexity, security and craftsmanship. This example could also be installed within a door or gate. These locks are exceedingly rare, as a single master model often served as the inspiration for dozens of production safes.
This particular example is especially remarkable. The mechanism includes a concealed keyhole and comes complete with its original key, which is as artful as it is functional, with no detail left unembellished. The lock’s construction reveals the exceptional ingenuity of French locksmiths, with exquisitely detailed scrollwork and a knightly figure bearing a cross adorning the surface. Both visually arresting and mechanically sophisticated, this piece is a testament to the elegance and security that defined 18th-century French ironwork.
Mechanism: 6 3/8" high x 3 3/8" wide x 2 3/8" deep
On base: 10 1/4" high
18th Century
Ingeniously crafted with a hidden mechanism, this 18th-century French lock, known as a serrure de maîtrise, or master’s lock, was likely used by safemakers to demonstrate their locking systems to discerning clients. Before commissioning a costly safe, buyers could inspect such examples to evaluate the mechanism’s complexity, security and craftsmanship. This example could also be installed within a door or gate. These locks are exceedingly rare, as a single master model often served as the inspiration for dozens of production safes.
This particular example is especially remarkable. The mechanism includes a concealed keyhole and comes complete with its original key, which is as artful as it is functional, with no detail left unembellished. The lock’s construction reveals the exceptional ingenuity of French locksmiths, with exquisitely detailed scrollwork and a knightly figure bearing a cross adorning the surface. Both visually arresting and mechanically sophisticated, this piece is a testament to the elegance and security that defined 18th-century French ironwork.
Mechanism: 6 3/8" high x 3 3/8" wide x 2 3/8" deep
On base: 10 1/4" high
French Master’s Lock
18th Century
Ingeniously crafted with a hidden mechanism, this 18th-century French lock, known as a serrure de maîtrise, or master’s lock, was likely used by safemakers to demonstrate their locking systems to discerning clients. Before commissioning a costly safe, buyers could inspect such examples to evaluate the mechanism’s complexity, security and craftsmanship. This example could also be installed within a door or gate. These locks are exceedingly rare, as a single master model often served as the inspiration for dozens of production safes.
This particular example is especially remarkable. The mechanism includes a concealed keyhole and comes complete with its original key, which is as artful as it is functional, with no detail left unembellished. The lock’s construction reveals the exceptional ingenuity of French locksmiths, with exquisitely detailed scrollwork and a knightly figure bearing a cross adorning the surface. Both visually arresting and mechanically sophisticated, this piece is a testament to the elegance and security that defined 18th-century French ironwork.
Mechanism: 6 3/8" high x 3 3/8" wide x 2 3/8" deep
On base: 10 1/4" high
18th Century
Ingeniously crafted with a hidden mechanism, this 18th-century French lock, known as a serrure de maîtrise, or master’s lock, was likely used by safemakers to demonstrate their locking systems to discerning clients. Before commissioning a costly safe, buyers could inspect such examples to evaluate the mechanism’s complexity, security and craftsmanship. This example could also be installed within a door or gate. These locks are exceedingly rare, as a single master model often served as the inspiration for dozens of production safes.
This particular example is especially remarkable. The mechanism includes a concealed keyhole and comes complete with its original key, which is as artful as it is functional, with no detail left unembellished. The lock’s construction reveals the exceptional ingenuity of French locksmiths, with exquisitely detailed scrollwork and a knightly figure bearing a cross adorning the surface. Both visually arresting and mechanically sophisticated, this piece is a testament to the elegance and security that defined 18th-century French ironwork.
Mechanism: 6 3/8" high x 3 3/8" wide x 2 3/8" deep
On base: 10 1/4" high
$5,197.50
Original: $14,850.00
-65%18th-Century French Master’s Lock—
$14,850.00
$5,197.50Description
French Master’s Lock
18th Century
Ingeniously crafted with a hidden mechanism, this 18th-century French lock, known as a serrure de maîtrise, or master’s lock, was likely used by safemakers to demonstrate their locking systems to discerning clients. Before commissioning a costly safe, buyers could inspect such examples to evaluate the mechanism’s complexity, security and craftsmanship. This example could also be installed within a door or gate. These locks are exceedingly rare, as a single master model often served as the inspiration for dozens of production safes.
This particular example is especially remarkable. The mechanism includes a concealed keyhole and comes complete with its original key, which is as artful as it is functional, with no detail left unembellished. The lock’s construction reveals the exceptional ingenuity of French locksmiths, with exquisitely detailed scrollwork and a knightly figure bearing a cross adorning the surface. Both visually arresting and mechanically sophisticated, this piece is a testament to the elegance and security that defined 18th-century French ironwork.
Mechanism: 6 3/8" high x 3 3/8" wide x 2 3/8" deep
On base: 10 1/4" high
18th Century
Ingeniously crafted with a hidden mechanism, this 18th-century French lock, known as a serrure de maîtrise, or master’s lock, was likely used by safemakers to demonstrate their locking systems to discerning clients. Before commissioning a costly safe, buyers could inspect such examples to evaluate the mechanism’s complexity, security and craftsmanship. This example could also be installed within a door or gate. These locks are exceedingly rare, as a single master model often served as the inspiration for dozens of production safes.
This particular example is especially remarkable. The mechanism includes a concealed keyhole and comes complete with its original key, which is as artful as it is functional, with no detail left unembellished. The lock’s construction reveals the exceptional ingenuity of French locksmiths, with exquisitely detailed scrollwork and a knightly figure bearing a cross adorning the surface. Both visually arresting and mechanically sophisticated, this piece is a testament to the elegance and security that defined 18th-century French ironwork.
Mechanism: 6 3/8" high x 3 3/8" wide x 2 3/8" deep
On base: 10 1/4" high
