Museum-Quality Courtly Iron Chest with Original Base Dated 1735, Museum-Quality Courtly Iron Chest with Original Base Dated 1735

Dimensions: 68 × 78 × 53 cm without stand

The exterior of the chest is rectangular, with beveled corners that give the chest an octagonal appearance. In places, the green paintwork has been preserved. The chest stands on four clawed ball feet.

The lid is high arched, double inside and has two handles on the front of the exterior.
The keyhole of the lid is hidden under a recumbent lion, which unfolds by sliding the acanthus leaf in the lower right corner of the lid.
After unlocking, the top lid can be flipped open. A Minio coated section will open where there is a second keyhole under the hinged door to open the main lock of the chest body.
The inside of the main lid is decorated with richly engraved work depicting a double-headed imperial eagle with a crown surrounded by straps and acanthus tendrils. The imperial eagle holds a sword and scepter in its talons. The plate covers the lock mechanism in the lid, which consists of 14 bolts and a latch. To keep the heavy lid open, it is supported by two movable brackets. A release trap is used to close the chest by simply dropping it. When the trap is pushed, or when it hits the front chest wall, the trap will spring and all the bolts will automatically fire. The chest is then locked without the use of a key.

There are two circular handles on the sides of the chest body.

The exterior of the chest is decorated with straps and palmettes on the narrow sides. On the obverse are two lions standing holding a strap with an oval shield with a keyhole. The year 1735 is forged between the lions' heads.
The rich decoration of the chest, the date, and the elegant base testify to the fact that the chest was not only used for storing valuables, but also for representation. The depiction of the imperial eagle on the lid demonstrates loyalty to the empire, or the emperor.

The chest stands on an old wooden plinth with a marble finish that replicates the shape of the chest.

Keys: There are three key holes used to lock the chest, two almost identical for the chest lock, one smaller for the lid lock

The chest came from the property of Thurn und Taxis, in whose family the rank of postmaster general for the Imperial Reich Post was inherited in the early modern period. In 1704, Thurn und Taxis were admitted to the Imperial Council of Princes.

Provenance: old family property, most recently Caroline Thurn and Taxis, Vienna

Handwritten certificate of origin dated July 2022 by Caroline Thurn und Taxis, Vienna

Expert opinion: Mag. Martina Pall-Konrad

Dimensions: 68 × 78 × 53 cm without stand