Steel key with openwork bow with scrolls, three-lobed hollow stem and quadruple bit with two flanges.

Collection type: Object
Description: Steel key with openwork bow with scrolls, three-lobed hollow stem and quadruple bit with two flanges.
Geographical reference: Germany
Europe > Western Europe > Germany
Cultural groups: German
Person: Maker Unknown Maker; Field collector Captain Corner; PRM source Catherine Elizabeth Parsons
Date / Period: Date made: 1701 - 1800
Date collected: By 1923
Acquisition information: Donated: 1950
Materials and processes: Material Steel Metal, Process Incised, Process Forged (Metal)
Dimensions: Length: max 127 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1951.13.695 Other numbers: 695
Research and responses: Related Documents File - i) Correspondence from Catherine E. Parsons to Beatrice Blackwood (1950 - 1955) regarding Parsons' collection and arrangements scheduled for Blackwood to view the keys and to retrieve documentation. Excerpt from letter to Blackwood: 'Please remember my keys and their catalogue were made simply for my own interest years ago. I never thought of it becoming public.' RDF also includes a number of letters from Mary Mallyon, informing Blackwood of Parsons' death (1956), and organizing for her to collect: 'the keys for the museum that Miss Parsons kept back when you took the others'. ii) Four photographs of Catherine E. Parsons, including one labelled 'Miss Parsons & niece'. iii) Catalogue of the Collection of Locks and Keys made by Catherine E. Parsons [original manuscript]. [GI 5/2/2002]
This iron key was studied during a meeting of the European Lock Collectors Association in September 2023. It was identified as an 18th century German piece, not 16th century English as previously catalogued. Information provided by Martina Pall, an expert in locks, keys, boxes, cassettes, chests and cast iron (https://www.martina-pall.com/).

Search terms: Lock, Key

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