A nice and substantial Late Gothic type of chest key, European, probably German, c. 1550-1590 AD.

The key with enforced bit with slots, decorated hollow stem with fluted collar and an oval bow.

Size: 108 mm.

Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.

A lovely key for a treasury chest or money trunk, late 15th./16th. century.

A large and solidly built key with an elaborately carved hollow stem and the oval bow decorated in the center in gothic manor. A rare key!

The decoration of Gothic iron locks and keys was often elaborate and of the highest standard of workmanship. The motifs were frequently drawn from Gothic architecture, reproducing on a miniature scale complicated tracery patterns and even tiny statuettes...

A nice thick key for a strong-box or treasury chest, c. mid 16th. century.

The key with a large, enforced bit with elaborately carved slots. The stem and the bow of the typical late Gothic design. With much old copper from a coppering in the time of use.

The decoration of Gothic iron locks and keys was often elaborate and of the highest standard of workmanship...

The largest key in the collection for the type and period, and fitting a large family chest or trunk in oak, mid 16th. century.

Very attractive key with a Gothic design and heavy reenforced bit. Remnants of old coppering to the details.

Size: 152 mm. long.

A very solidly built key for a large strong-box or treasury chest, c. mid 16th. century.

The key with a large, enforced bit with elaborately carved slots. The stem decorated with an octagonal collar and the bow typical late Gothic design.

The decoration of Gothic iron locks and keys was often elaborate and of the highest standard of workmanship...

Large and beautiful Late Gothic type of door or gate key, European, probably German, c. 1550 AD.

The key with enforced bit with slots, decorated hollow stem and a beautiful oval decorated bow. Much remnants of original copper metal on the stem and later silvering / tinned.

Size: 130 mm. solidly built.

Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.

A group of 4 very rare early miniature keys for locks in small chests or jewelry boxes, c. 15th.-18th. century.

The group includes a very attractive iron key with a bronze handle / bow and hollow stem, decorated in the gothic manor, probably 15th.-16th. century (40 mm.). Pair of very nice and rare miniature keys with gothic bows and hollow stems, finely cleaned and maintained, probably 15th.-16th...

Interesting Late renaissance iron helmet of the 'cabasset' type, probably German, c. 1580-1600.

Size: 26 cm. wide and 20 cm. tall.

Condition: Intact of very good metal with some polishing. Brown traces of superficial rust on other parts. Black painted in the interiour to avoid rust.

Ex. Old private collection.

A nice and scarce early iron key probably from a passage door, European, Renaissance, c. Late 14th.-Early 15th. century.

The key with an oval bow and a square stem. The wide bit with a flat design.

Size: 11,7 cm.

Condition: Nice Very fine, intact dark iron patina corrosion but sound metal beneath.

Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.

A fine smaller iron key from a chest, Gothic type, early renaissance, c. 14th. century AD.

The key with a complicated S-shaped bit and gothic compartement bow. The stem is square and then round and solid.

The decoration of Gothic iron locks and keys was often elaborate and of the highest standard of workmanship. The motifs were frequently drawn from Gothic architecture, reproducing on a miniature scale complicated tracery patterns and even tiny statuettes...

A very rare full size early gate key in an extraordinary condition, European, late 13th.-14th. century.

Beautiful key with a round bow flute, a long solid stem, large bit with complicated slots.

The decoration of Gothic iron locks and keys was often elaborate and of the highest standard of workmanship. The motifs were frequently drawn from Gothic architecture, reproducing on a miniature scale complicated tracery patterns and even tiny statuettes...

A superb condition larger iron key, European, Late Medieval, c. 13th.-14th. century.

The key with a doomed bow and the stem ending in a long spike. The bit with a cruciform slot. Probably a passage door key.

Size: 14,6 cm.

Condition: Extremely fine, completely intact with superficial black iron patina and fine metal beneath.

Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.

A superb condition iron key probably from a passage door, European, Renaissance, c. Early 15th. century.

A large and impressive key of the c. 15th. century design with an oval bow and a tappering stem. The wide bit with a flat design. Very attractive!

Size: 14,4 cm.

Condition: About extremely fine, completely intact with superficial dark iron patina and extremely fine metal beneath.

Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.

A large and very early key, European, Late Medieval, c. 12th.-13th. century.

The key has a doomed bow and the stem ending in a long spike. The wide and unusual large bit with a complicated slot, probably a castle passage door key.

Size: 15,2 cm.

Condition: Very fine, tiny loss and othervise completely intact.

Ex. Important old Danish collection of keys.

A rare and superb condition iron key of an unusual length, European, Late Medieval, c. 13th. century.

A large and impressive key of the c. 13th. century design with an doomed bow and the stem ending in a long spike. The wide bit with a cruciform slot with 'teeth' below. A front door key, possible from clerical building.

Size: 16,8 cm.

Condition: Good very fine, completely intact with superficial iron patina and fine metal beneath.

Ex...

A very rare and superb condition iron Cupboard key, European, probably English, 15th...

A pair of attractive early European iron keys, with remnants of copper on the larger one, c. 16th. century.

Lot includes a large 14,5 cm. long key with remnants of copper plating and cross cut bit, early 16th. century, perhaps even earlier. The other key with a hearthshaped bow, measuring 10,7 cm. c. 16th. century.

Condition: Very fine, nice metal with a thick and stable iron patina.

Ex. Danish Collection of keys.

A huge and exceptional 33-34 cm. massive gate key, European renaissance period of the 15th./16th. century.

By some length and weight the largest key we've ever handled or seen for sale so far! The bow round and the stem from wrought and folded metal, the bit with an S-shaped slot. Amazing post-medieval antique!

Size: 33-34 cm. long and weighing more than 750 grams! This would be a single key for a gate keeper of the city wals somewhere to carry in his key ring, since it...