IMPORTANT MUSEUM QUALITY ANTIQUE 1680 TO 1720 GERMAN SiLVER SAFE STRONGBOX

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this important, Museum Quality German safe circa 1680-1720 attributed to Johann Gottlied Dittman and Sigmund Gatchen

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price

Where to begin, if you are looking at this listing then the chances are you know something about antique safes, if you do, then you will recognise just how rare this piece is, I have in all my online research only found one other that was in a terrible condition, it sold in the Sotheby’s Carlton Towers sale on the 4th November 2009, the sale price was £73,250 plus commission which at the time was 30% making the final sale amount £95,225 This example was missing the original key, all the silver finish had polished off and it was rusty, mine by comparison is in absolutely sublime order throughout

The original key is present, it operates the exceptionally heavy top lock which has 22 separate locks, each lock works independently so if a thief tried to force one open, it would have no affect on the remaining 21 locks

The front of the safe depicts a bird possibly an eagle, the top has a medieval locking plate cover which splits down the middle to reveal the entrance to the lock, it looks similar to a fleur de lis, it springs closed when the key is removed and has its own lock, it has a secret to unlock it, if you don’t know it, you can never fit the key. The sides have oversized handles as they need to be, the safe must weight in excess of 100kgs, the rear has a similar medieval crest

The finish is sublime, truly exquisite, this is a work of art and will be the centre piece and pride of any collection, I have absolutely no desire to sell it whatsoever, if it stays in my collection forever so be it, I will never have the chance to own such a piece again and it is an absolute pleasure to see it each day

For a similar strong box signed to the interior by Dittman and Gatchen and worthy of comparison see a very fine example from The Alphonse de Rothschild Collection which was sold on the 26th of March 1973 at the De Rede sale in Monaco as lot 167. The Rothschild box featured bold architectural detailing, hounds to the lid and was also raised on a stand.

Condition wise, there will be some losses, I can note some of the edges of the leaf detailing are missing, some of the old pin nails have worked their way free over the centuries, the safe 100% works as it should do and nothing you put in here is every coming out without the key

Dimensions

Height:- 86cm

Width:- 89cm

Depth:- 52cm

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask

Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid

Condition

Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition

Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade.