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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    3
    Country: United States

    Question 17th Century, Medieval, Renaissance Keys

    Hi, I'm curious to know more about these. What metal are they likely to be?
    They're heavy. The black scraps off to shiny metal underneath.
    What indications do you see on the bow & bit?

    Keys came from a collector's estate in Southern California.

    They were mounted on this red velvet plaque.


    First Key = 7"L x 2 1/2" W
    Metal plaque says -
    "Llave Espanola Siglo XVII
    Coleccion Grinling W. Sibbons
    Londres"



    Spanish to English translation -
    Spanish Key Seventeeth Century
    Collection Grinling W. Sibbons
    London

    Looks like 2 mermaids on either side, like you might see at the bow of a ship?



    Second Key = 9 1/8"L x 3"W
    Metal plaque says -

    "Llave del Renacimiento
    Museo Medioebo
    eRinascimento Roma"


    Spanish to English translation -
    Renaissance Key
    Medieval Museum
    Rinascimento, Rome

    I'm new to this and just spent an embarrasing amount of time researching for little reward. :)
    Do these seem legit?
    What's you favorite reference site or book?
    Thanks a bunch!
    Melanie
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails MedievalKeys-1.jpg   MedievalKeys-2.jpg   MedievalKeys-3.jpg   MedievalKeys-4.jpg   MedievalKeys-5.jpg  

    photo 3.JPG  

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    California, USA
    Posts
    216
    Country: United States

    Default 17th Century, Medieval, Renaissance Keys

    In my personal opinion (I don't claim infallibility), I believe the 2 keys are reproductions and the labels were intended to mislead. The Spanish key seems much too fine and fancy. Typically Spanish locks and keys were much heavier and cruder than their French or Italian counterparts. Arthur Byne in his book Spanish Ironwork (1915) said those most expert in working iron aspired to securing employment making exquisite grills knowns as rejas. The insignificant key was left to the apprentice. As for the second key from a Roman museum, how did the previous owner obtain it? I went on the internet and looked up museums and galleries in Rome. I found no Medieval Museum on Rinascimento although there were listing for a Palazzo Altemps and Museo Napoleionico on Corso Rinascimento.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    3
    Country: United States

    Default

    Thank you for the reply. I reluctantly agree with you. :)
    i also searched for a museum on Rinascimento, which translates to Renaissance. There are museums in Rome that could vaguely work.
    But if it seems to good to be true...

    A friend got these at an auction about a year ago. I wish we knew more.
    If I could only find an image of the same reproductions, I could let go of the glimmer of hope!
    They are too perfect though. They're vintage at least though.

    Have a great day!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    142
    Country: Germany

    Default

    both keys are modern reproductions, sorry, but they are

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    3
    Country: United States

    Default

    Thank you. I'm still going to use them on my make believe Spanish Galleon though.
    I appreciate the reply! I should have posted here first insead of spending 1/2 a day on a virtual treasure hunt.

    I own an estate buy out company so I may have to swing by and say hi again.

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