Caption

Vault lock by Karol Konstabel, locksmith, 2nd half of the 19th century, Warsaw. Masterpiece marked with the guild stamp stamp now invisible. Cabinetry and workmanship, and the key register, are especially outstanding. The lock has three bolts and a fourth latch bolt connected to the handle handle missing. The rectangular cup has an overlaid border with an inner wavy edge, and a three-length vertical strip with a sequin and two inverted lyre shapes. On the underside, the case with the mechanism is separated, with a narrow chamber that was meant to cover the bolt hasps. Shares the same technical solution as a handmade lock described as Taszynski's from 1861; described in the Crafts Act of 1816 as a precise treasury lock for a main door with flanking riffles with two springing and two lifting fels. Karol Konstabel was probably the son of Wilhelm, a master locksmith recorded by Dzierzanowski. Dimensions: height 40 cm, width 27.5 cm, depth 12.5 cm., A rectangular metal lock plate with a weathered, patinated surface in shades of gray, brown, and muted gold sits centered against a pale gray background; the plate has decorative scalloped edges and an embossed horizontal band near the top featuring curved, symmetrical shapes and a small circular raised element in the center with a slightly brighter golden tone, while a square spindle hole and an oblong keyhole are visible on the lower portion, and a rusty rectangular metal bar extends horizontally from both sides of the plate showing darker brown and reddish tones.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A10_052

License type

Rights managed

Available size

103.0Mb (2.6Mb) / 20.0in x 20.0in / 6000 x 6000 (300dpi)

Keywords

Vault lock Karol Konstabel locksmith 2nd half 19th century Warsaw Masterpiece marked guild stamp stamp now invisible Cabinetry workmanship key register outstanding lock three bolts fourth latch bolt connected handle handle missing rectangular cup overlaid border inner wavy edge three-length vertical strip sequin two inverted lyre shapes underside case mechanism separated narrow chamber was meant cover bolt hasps Shares technical solution handmade lock described Taszynski's 1861 described Crafts Act 1816 precise treasury lock main door flanking riffles two springing two lifting fels Karol Konstabel was son Wilhelm master recorded Dzierzanowski Dimensions height 40 cm width 27.5 cm depth 12.5 cm rectangular metal lock plate weathered patinated surface shades gray brown muted gold sits centered pale gray background plate decorative scalloped edges embossed horizontal band near top featuring curved symmetrical shapes small circular raised element center slightly brighter golden tone square spindle hole oblong keyhole visible lower portion rusty rectangular metal bar extends horizontally sides showing darker brown reddish tones.