Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

IMPORTANT MUSEUM QUALITY ANTIQUE 1680 TO 1720 GERMAN SiLVER SAFE STRONGBOX

$163,295.36
£120,000
€140,980.07
CA$224,340.07
A$250,454.59
CHF 131,234.44
MX$3,065,810.05
NOK 1,666,678.71
SEK 1,571,466.41
DKK 1,052,148.77

About the Item

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this important, Museum Quality German safe circa 1680-1720 attributed to Johann Gottlied Dittman and Sigmund Gatchen Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price Where to begin, if you are looking at this listing then the chances are you know something about antique safes, if you do, then you will recognise just how rare this piece is, I have in all my online research only found one other that was in a terrible condition, it sold in the Sotheby’s Carlton Towers sale on the 4th November 2009, the sale price was £73,250 plus commission which at the time was 30% making the final sale amount £95,225 This example was missing the original key, all the silver finish had polished off and it was rusty, mine by comparison is in absolutely sublime order throughout The original key is present, it operates the exceptionally heavy top lock which has 22 separate locks, each lock works independently so if a thief tried to force one open, it would have no affect on the remaining 21 locks The front of the safe depicts a bird possibly an eagle, the top has a medieval locking plate cover which splits down the middle to reveal the entrance to the lock, it looks similar to a fleur de lis, it springs closed when the key is removed and has its own lock, it has a secret to unlock it, if you don’t know it, you can never fit the key. The sides have oversized handles as they need to be, the safe must weight in excess of 100kgs, the rear has a similar medieval crest The finish is sublime, truly exquisite, this is a work of art and will be the centre piece and pride of any collection, I have absolutely no desire to sell it whatsoever, if it stays in my collection forever so be it, I will never have the chance to own such a piece again and it is an absolute pleasure to see it each day For a similar strong box signed to the interior by Dittman and Gatchen and worthy of comparison see a very fine example from The Alphonse de Rothschild Collection which was sold on the 26th of March 1973 at the De Rede sale in Monaco as lot 167. The Rothschild box featured bold architectural detailing, hounds to the lid and was also raised on a stand. Condition wise, there will be some losses, I can note some of the edges of the leaf detailing are missing, some of the old pin nails have worked their way free over the centuries, the safe 100% works as it should do and nothing you put in here is every coming out without the key Dimensions Height:- 86cm Width:- 89cm Depth:- 52cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid Condition Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 33.86 in (86 cm)Width: 35.04 in (89 cm)Depth: 20.48 in (52 cm)
  • Style:
    Charles II (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
    1680-1689
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1680-1720
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    West Sussex, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2823340039322

More From This Seller

View All
FINE EARLY 17TH CENTURY GERMAN WROUGHT IRON SAFE CHEST TRUNK WiTH ORIGINAL KEY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, early 17th century German Wrought Iron painted safe chest with the original key Please note...
Category

Antique 17th Century German Charles II Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Wrought Iron

Sublime 1797 Dated Hand Paitned Portugese Chest or Trunk for Linens Coffee Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original 1797 dated hand painted Portuguese trunk or chest A very good looking and well made piece. A typical hand painted European piece which is highly collectable and very versatile. It comes complete with the original lock and key which works however it is a little temperamental We have cleaned waxed and polished it from top to bottom, there will be normal age related patina marks all over I purchased this from a Chateau in Belgium, prior to that it was with an antiques company...
Category

Antique 1790s Portuguese George III Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Oak

FINE MID 17TH CENTURY GERMAN WROUGHT IRON SAFE CHEST TRUNK WiTH ORIGINAL KEY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, mid 17th century German Wrought Iron painted safe chest with the original key Please note t...
Category

Antique 17th Century German Charles II Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Wrought Iron

Rare Chinese circa 1840 Campaign Chest Ornate Metal Work Swastika Well Being
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1840 Chinese hand carved campaign chest with ornate metal strap work depicting the Swasti...
Category

Antique 1840s Chinese Campaign Furniture

Materials

Wood

1802 Dated Huge Antique Original Paint European Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1802 dated aqua blue hand painted European clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest I have recently purchased ...
Category

Antique Early 1800s European George III Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Pine

Rare Large circa 1900 Military Campaign Chest Trunk Zinc Lined for Champagne Etc
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very large full sized Military Campaign zinc lined chest or trunk with original locks and key designed as a wine / champaign cooler...
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Campaign Cabinets

Materials

Zinc

You May Also Like

Silver Chest, After 17th Century Models, circa 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Arquette inspired by 17th century models. Silver, Spain, 20th century Rectangular casket made of silver in its color, with four legs in the corners in the form of roll and finished ...
Category

20th Century European Other Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Other

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Jewellery Casket Walker and Hall 19thC
Located in London, GB
This is a lovely antique Victorian silver plated casket bearing the makers mark of the renowned silversmiths, Walker and Hall, Circa 1840 in date. The square casket freatures an epic mythological scene of the four seasons with eight winged cherubs on the lid. Each side features the four seasons: spring features a bull and a goddess, summer has a lion and a goddess, autumn has a scorpion and a goddess and winter has a cherub and goddess. The interior of the box features its original quilted buttoned silk upholstery. Add some elegance to your home with this lovely casket. Condition: In excellent condition with no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 15 cm x Width 24 cm x Depth 24 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 6 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 9 inches Walker & Hall the business was established in Sheffield in 1845 by George Walker who become an assistant of Dr John Wright. Dr John Wright had conducted important experiments on electroplating, Walker secured the royalty of electroplating for Sheffield. The business was joined by Henry Hall and became in 1853 Walker & Hall. The factory was at Howard Street, Sheffield, while showrooms were opened in 45 Holborn Viaduct, London. Branches were opened in Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Hull, Bristol, Melbourne and Adelaide (Australia), Cape Town (South Africa). Walker & Hall was converted into a limited liability company in 1920 under the style Walker & Hall Ltd and combined in 1963 under the British Silverware...
Category

Antique 1840s Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate

Franz Mayer Sterling Silver Chest
Located in cochabamba, BO
This stunning ornate sterling silver chest is a true masterpiece, handcrafted with exquisite attention to detail by top Bolivian artisans. The sides and lid are richly decorated with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Bolivian Baroque Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid 17th Century Dutch Engraved Silver Wedding Casket or knottekist, Circa 1660
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A museum-grade mid-17th century Dutch silver marriage casket or knottekistje, circa 1660. Raised on solid silver bun feet the miniature casket is profusely engraved to all faces depicting a courting couple and architecture entwined in scrolling foliage. The reverse of the casket depicts the last supper, however, if you look closely, you can see a boy stealing food or wine from underneath! Possibly, this is the courting gentleman showing that he had a sense of humour. The scratch lined moulded top is surmounted with an intricate handle (once gilt) and floral patera to the centre. There are two inscriptions each within a cartouche 'In Lÿfde Beltact het al' and 'Getrouw tot in den doot' which loosely translates to 'faithful until the death' and 'love is everything'. Wedding caskets...
Category

Antique 17th Century Dutch Baroque Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

An Exceptional 19th Century Renaissance Revival Vienna Silver Sugar Casket
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An exceptionally fine 19th century ‘Renaissance Revival’ silver sugar casket, showing a hinged lid richly decorated with repousse & hand chased foliate mo...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Renaissance Revival Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

French 19th Century Silver Plated Casket
Located in London, GB
The whole casket is richly decorated. Standing on lions paw feet adorned with baroque motifs the scene on top depicts cupid stood beside two lovers (possibly) Daphne and Apollo. The ...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate