Sometimes you can't just trust a regular lock to keep your inner sanctum protected. And that's when you need one of these beautiful locks from hundreds of years ago. Back in the Renaissance, people knew how to lock things down in style. Here are the most stunningly ornate antique locks.
A wrought-etched iron padlock, Nüremberg, 16th century
Lock of a wooden sacristy door, in the fortified church of Biertan, Romania, completed in 1524. It contains 22 bolts.
(via Wikimedia Commons)
Padlock and key, made by André Omereler, Germany, 1531
(via The Met)
Detail of a masterpiece, wrought, moulded and pierced iron, France, circa 1550
A door lock from Germany, early 17th century
A masterpiece lock by GS, an unknown master, Germany, 1610
(via Hetx)
A lock featuring ornamental grotesques and scrolls, made by N. Du Feyis in France, around 1630.
(via Victoria & Albert Museum)
Rim lock, made by John Wilkes, 17th century
(via Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
Padlock, Germany, 17th century
A lock with four turning bolts, made by John Wilkes, late 17th century
(via Victoria & Albert Museum)
A "detector" lock that shows how many times a door had been unlocked with a man holding a pointer against a dial. It was made by John Wilkes, around 1680.
And there's a verse engraved to the front:
If I had ye gift of tongue
I would declare and do no wrong
Who ye are ye come by stealth
To impare my Master's wealth.
(via Victoria & Albert Museum)
Chamber lock by John Wilkes, pierced, engraved and gilt brass, England, c. 1695
Inner workings of a trunk, probably made in France in the 17th century
(via Harry Alverson)
Padlock in the shape of a galloping horse, made in India during the 18th or 19th century
(via The Met)
A masterpiece lock by Paolo Acquadro, wrought, pierced, moulded and engraved iron, made in Turin, Italy, 1854
A fish-shaped lock from China, made of rosewood during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)
(via Life of Guangzhou)
An old padlock with a werewolf figure
(via Pinterest)
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The images are from Cesati, except when noted otherwise.
DISCUSSION
I once read that back in the day complex (or numerous) locks weren't so much about the security provided by the locks themselves as they were a statement about how much you cared about the contents, and how bad you'd break their balls if they messed with it. It's kind of like a biker leaving his helmet on his Harley parked on the street: go on, mess with it... I dare you!