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1951.13.729

Large iron padlock with sprung key-hole cover made of brass. On the other side is also a plate of brass.

On display

1951.13.729

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Collection type
Object
Description
Large iron padlock with sprung key-hole cover made of brass. On the other side is also a plate of brass.
Cultural groups
German
Person
Maker Unknown Maker
Field collector Unknown Collector
PRM source Catherine Elizabeth Parsons
Date / Period
Date made: 1601 - 1700
Date collected
By 1923
Acquisition information
Donated: 1950
Materials and processes
Material Iron Metal, Material Brass Metal, Process Forged (Metal)
Dimensions
Width: max 108 mm, Length: max 187 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1951.13.729 Other numbers: 729
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]

Canford appears to be linked to two places, one it is mentioned in quite a few google references to wimborne minster dorset, but also it is mentioned connected to a set of cliffs in poole. As it specifically mentions it is about 12 miles from Bournemouth it must be near Wimborne Minster presumably [AP 26/2/2009]

This unique padlock was studied during a meeting of the European Lock Collectors Association in September 2023. Although it was acquired by the donor from Canford Manor in Dorset, the padlock itself comes from south Germany and was made in Nuremberg during the 17th century. It has one key and one needle to open a hidden puzzle, which in turn opens the little door to reveal the keyhole. Information provided by Martina Pall, an expert in locks, keys, boxes, cassettes, chests and cast iron (https://www.martina-pall.com/).

Search terms: Lock, Padlock

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