Castle and Chest Locks

During the gothic era, followed by the exuberant influence of the Renaissance, master locksmiths were inspired to product the most intricate and the finest ornamental locks of all time. This was the period when iron craftsmen and lock artisans became internationally famous. They excelled in the forging, embossing, engraving, chafing, and etching of metals, and were invited to make locks and keys for the courts of Europe. Shown here is a spring latch lock for a castle door. Its working mechanism is concealed in the classic dome, or ward house, that shows the Moorish influence. Ornamented in the style of the period with mythical figures and scrolls, it is particularly noteworthy as it illustrates the coloring of metal, similar to the "niello" process. As the craftsman lacked color, he created various stains for metal, which he used for backgrounds to highlight his design.