Important master's lock in chased iron from the... Lot 30

Important master's lock in chased iron from the late 17th or early 18th century. Rectangular in shape, it has a richly molded frame surrounding three compartments. The central compartment features a protruding molded pediment in the shape of a gendarme hat supported by two Doric columns executed in the round. The inside of the pediment shows in openwork gold the monogram of the maker JBP for Jean- Baptiste Platon. Between the columns, a large lion's head is carved in high relief on a door with a curved top that serves as an entrance cover. A pull tab hidden in the lock frame triggers the opening of the door. On either side of this portico are two openwork panels of scrolls and foliage with rocaille decoration, each topped by a count's crown. On the other side of the lock, the mechanism is concealed in a polished iron case with a highly curved lateral contour. In the center of the case, the false bottom with circular moldings in strong projection, is surrounded by a fine frieze of small openwork volutes. An identical work with elegantly cut and pierced foliage decorations slightly protrudes from the strongly molded bottom of the head. The lock is complete with its four fixing rods finished with pretty nuts drawing two chiselled Cs in opposition. Inside the case, the mechanism with two bolts. Turned iron chased, pierced, openwork, slightly engraved. Height: 9,5 cm - Length 17 cm Provenance: Sale SPITZER, 1893, n°891 (reproduced). Bibliography: La fidèle ouverture ou l'art du serrurier, Marie PESSIOT, Rouen 2007, n°208 of the exhibition catalogue p. 202.