Chest of coffers; Spain, 17th century. Wrought... Lot 36

Chest of coffers; Spain, 17th century. Wrought iron. Measurements: 43 x 84 x 45 cm. A seventeenth-century Spanish safe-deposit box with a solid structure, the box is reinforced with iron bands nailed to the outside. The hinged lid, joined to the box by means of solid hinges. In the safes of this period it was common for the system to be left visible, and it was even decorated with applied and openwork motifs. In this example, however, the mechanism is partially concealed. The exterior of the chest has a central keyhole. Multiple locks were common on 16th- and 17th-century treasure chests. The keys to each of the locks were held by different people, so that the chest was never opened in the presence of a single person.