18th Century Italian Iron Floor Safe

About the Item

This rare and imposing 18th-century safe hails from the Turin region of northwestern Italy, and is crafted of reinforced wrought iron designed to be virtually indestructible. Impenetrable without the complex system of keys and know-how, this safe would have been used to secure one's most precious possessions. The defining feature of monumental Italian safes of this caliber is a complicated locking mechanism, and this example is fitted with an exceptionally well-engineered four-way locking system. As an added security measure, one must know the precise way in which to manipulate not one, but four unique iron keys—each corresponding to a unique hidden keyhole—as well as a special lock pick. Also known as a partner safe, this vault's keys would have been distributed among business partners, resulting in a remarkably high degree of safety that required all individual keys to be present for unlocking. Providing ample protection for one's money and valuables from theft and fire alike, these safes were often used by merchants of the period in lieu of banks. Few hobnail safes of this quality, complexity and age exist today, and even fewer exist on this extraordinary scale. Circa 1780 58 1/4" high x 36 5/8" wide x 24 1/8" deep

Dimensions:
Height: 58.25 in (147.96 cm)Width: 36.63 in (93.05 cm)Depth: 24.13 in (61.3 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Iron,Wrought Iron
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1780
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 31-82311stDibs: LU891139664742
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