Anonymous 17th century Castilian
Two-key chest, 17th century

Two-key chest, 17th century
Chest with two locks in walnut wood, with wrought iron applications.

wrought iron. Castile, 17th century.

Rectangular piece of furniture with a flat top made of carved walnut wood and supported by four legs ending in spherical shapes. It has corner pieces, two locks on the front and handles on the sides decorated with wrought-iron openwork pieces. Both the top and bottom of the

The lines of both the top and the bottom of the piece of furniture are enhanced by smooth mouldings. On one side of the interior there is a small section with a flat lid.

Chests similar to this type from the 17th century were known as the 'Arca de Tres llaves' (three-key chest), or 'Arca de Ayuntamiento' or 'Arca de Concejo' (three-key chest). Whether they had 2 or 3 keys, their purpose was to store objects, documents or cash belonging to confraternities, congregations or religious or civil entities, in general, where each person in charge was the depositary of each of the keys. Only the coinciding opening of all the locks allows these pieces of furniture to be opened.

Measurements: 134 x 56 x 71 cm.

Measurement:

134 x 71 cm