Hello all and thanks Brian for adding me. A brief intro and a question. I live and work in the Algarve, Portugal and work for a UK style Auction house. I often have to use lock info for dating furniture which is how I found this forum (Although have just realised the thread title looks like I'm looking for a new girlfriend). On to my first question !
We've just had a large consignment from a French lady whose late husband was a keen collector of antiques amongst this was a very large lock. It comes with very little information and no written provenance but allegedly came from Temple prison in Paris built in the 13th C and destroyed in 1808. Obviously when I describe and item for auction I cannot write anything thats speculation, so currently its just a large old lock. I would welcome your views about its age and likely origins. photos below.
Many thanks. Tim
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