Chest

Title:

Iron Strong Box

Object Name:

Chest

Creator:

Unknown

Date:

1550-1700

Material:

Iron

Dimensions:

H-4.75 L-21 Dia-7 inches

Description:

Banded iron strong box with complex engraved locking mechanism on underside of lid. Two padlocks attached--no keys. Large key for locking mechanism. The chest is made of 6 approximately 1/8'' thick forged iron sheets reinforced, in apparent order of application, by 2" wide right angle bands at the four corners and bottom edge, four vertical bands (two on the sides) and one horizontal band, all of which have been "riveted" to the sheets. A 1" x 1" lip with corner braces is attached to the inside top edge of the chest. There are four hinges holding the top and they are part of the reinforcing bands as are the staples for two padlocks on the front of the lid and the hasps on the front of the chest. The padlocks are attached to the lid rings. The lid itself has rounded corners and a border which overhangs the bottom section when the lid is closed. There are wrought iron handles on both sides. There is an elaborate diamond-shaped keyhole in the center front of the chest, but is a dummy. The actual key is inserted through the center of the top into an elaborate mechanism which enables twelve tongues to slide under the lip on the bottom section of the trunk. The complex mechanism consists of several rods and ornately engraved iron plates. Presently it is inoperable, but the key is also part of the collection. Inside the trunk is a single partition 7" high and 7" from one side. It is also a 1/8" sheet of iron with brackets toward the center of the trunk. At the opposite side, approximately 2" down from the top is a 7" long "handle" riveted through the wall so that it pivots from the end. The function is unknown but it could rotate to a vertical position to prevent the lid from closing. A section of modern chain is affixed to the outside of the lid for the apparent purpose of holding it open. Two holes drilled in the bottom of the trunk may be to bolt it to the floor. Except for the locking mechanism, the entire chest has been painted black. The paint is badly chipped, and, in some places, bare metal shows through, especially at points of contact between the lid and the base. In a very few spots on the outside, there are traces of blue, white and yellow paint under the black.

Provenance:

This chest was once believed to be the one used by the Gilmans as New Hampshire Treasurers, but is not listed in Nicholas Gilman's inventory. It is likely to have been an early 20th century acquisition.

Subjects:

Chests, Trunks, Locks

People:

Gilman, Nicholas

Place of Origin:

Probably Germany

Collection Name:

Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire

Item Number:

1990.021

Accession Number:

1990.021

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the American Independence Museum

Credit Line:

American Independence Museum

Participating Organization:

American Independence Museum