Chest
Not on view
In addition to the luxurious and decorative jewel caskets of ivory and leather, iron coffrets and chests of varying sizes, designed primarily for security, were common. Used in the household to safeguard valuables or important documents, they were likewise employed in business establishments to protect both the profits of the day’s trade and valuable merchandise.
On the front of this coffret are three hinged reinforcing bands; the outer two are fitted with hasps, while the central band both covers the keyhole and provides an attachment for a padlock. The internal locking mechanism, activated by a turn of the key, sends a metal bar through the iron hasps of the side bands.
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