Welcome to Big Tree Keys and Locks

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Welcome to Big Tree Keys and Locks, home of my antique key and lock collection.

NEW! The new Blog section is up and running. Keep an eye out for informative articles, links, and interesting auctions (both on and off-eBay). It’s the section I’ll use to highlight locks and keys NOT in my collection, upcoming and past auctions of interest, and any other topics I feel interested in writing about. The website is a work in progress. Please excuse the mess of a home page and lack of content on many pages. The key category has several posts available for proper viewing. Since the majority of these posts were made, the collection has greatly grown to include over a dozen changeable bit keys, vault/safe keys, a myriad of folding keys, and over 60 unique pocket door keys. It has also grown to include European keys as well. I’m slow on updating the pictures, but if there’s something in particular you want to see feel free to request, and I’ll put that next on the list to post. Collection includes a Yale treasury key, Isham’s patent key, and changeable bit keys like these two:

changeable bit key 2 changeable bit key 1

Enjoy the unique antique keys and locks showcased and check out the resources section for more information on this great collectible field. Read the About Us Page for more information.

French Padlock Auction with Two Keys

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Antique Steel French Lock with Two Keys

 

French Padlock with Two Keys

Seller: Christie’s

Seller Description:

A FINE FRENCH STEEL PADLOCK WITH TWO KEYS
SECOND HALF 17TH CENTURY
The double sided lock with twin flaps with hidden release stamped ‘J M’ revealing a double-sided lock with star and trefoil shaped key holes
lock 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm.) high; keys 5 ½ in. (14 cm.) long

Est. GBP 2,000-3,000 (USD $2550-3850)

 

 

 

If your images are used on this site and you would like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.

Masterpiece Lantern Keys

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Masterpiece Keys

Here are some examples of Masterpiece Lantern Keys and Locks. Estimate of age and origin are based on the source material from which the images are from, unless otherwise noted.
Masterpiece Lantern Key
Photo (C) Victoria and Albert Museum, Londres, Dist.
Period: 16th Century Origin: French Material: Chiseled Steel                
Four Lantern Keys
(C) Ville de Marseille, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Benjamin Soligny / Raphaël Chipault
Material: Iron Location: Marseille, musée Grobet Labadié                             If your images are used on this site and you would like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.

Antiquities Keys

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Antiquities Keys

Here are some examples of Keys and Locks from antiquities. Estimate of age and origin are based on the source material from which the images are from, unless otherwise noted.

3rd Century

3rd Century Key
Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais / Philippe Fuzeau

Archaeological Discovery. Discovered in France.
DIMENSIONS
Height: 0.16 m
Width: 0.032 m
Material: Copper alloy
Location: Montigny-le-Bretonneux, service archéologique départemental des Yvelines








Ancient Roman Key
Photo (C) Louvre Museum, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais

Archaeological Discovery. Discovered in Palestine
Provenance: Sour Baher
Ancient Roman
Material: Bronze
Location: Paris, musée du Louvre










Roman Lion Key
Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais (musée du Louvre) / Tony Querrec

Discovered: Notre-Dame d’Allençon (origine)
Ancient Roman
Age: Middle of the 2nd – first half of the 3rd century after J.-C.- Manufacture: Gaule Lugdunaise
Material: Bronze
Location:Paris, musée du Louvre










 

Set of Keys
(C) Ville de Marseille, Dist. / RMN-Grand Palais / Benjamin Soligny / Raphaël Chipault

Location: Marseille, musée Grobet Labadié












Set of keys
(C) Ville de Marseille, Dist. / RMN-Grand Palais / Benjamin Soligny / Raphaël Chipault

Location: Marseille, musée Grobet Labadié






















Set of Keys
(C) Ville de Marseille, Dist. / RMN-Grand Palais / Benjamin Soligny / Raphaël Chipault

Material: Iron
Location: Marseille, musée Grobet Labadié




























If your images are used on this site and you would like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.

Pistol Keys

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Pistol Keys

Here are some examples of Pistol Keys and Locks. Estimate of age and origin are based on the source material from which the images are from, unless otherwise noted.

Flintlock Keys

Flintlock Pistol Key
Photo (C) Paris – Musée de l’Armée, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Christophe Chavan
Flintlock Pistol Key and Lock
Photo (C) Paris – Musée de l’Armée, Dist.
Flintlock Pistol Key Lock
RMN-Grand Palais / Christophe Chavan
  DESCRIPTION: Created around 1750. The stem of the key is hollowed out to serve as a cannon associated with a small plate with flint Age: Circa 1750 Origin: Germany

If your images are used on this site and you would like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.

17th Century Keys and Locks

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17th Century Keys and Locks

Here are some examples of 17th Century Keys and Locks. Estimate of age and origin are based on the source material from which the images are from, unless otherwise noted.
17th Century French Lock and Key
Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais (musée de la Renaissance, château d’Ecouen) / Adrien Didierjean
17th Century French Lock and Key
Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais (musée de la Renaissance, château d’Ecouen) / Adrien Didierjean
17th Century French Lock and Key
Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais (musée de la Renaissance, château d’Ecouen) / Adrien Didierjean
                                 

If your images are used on this site and you would like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.

Medieval Period Keys

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Medieval Keys

Here are some examples of Medieval Keys. Estimate of age and origin are based on the source material from which the images are from, unless otherwise noted.
Medieval Key
Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais / Franck Raux
DESCRIPTION:
Key with diamond head cut out pointed end
Age: 13/14th Century
Material: Bronze
Dimensions:
Height: 0.6 m
Width: 0.2 m
Location: Beauvais, MUDO, musée de l’Oise
Medieval Key
Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais / Franck Raux
DESCRIPTION:
Key with cross-cut head, pointed end
Age: 13/14th Century
Material: Bronze
DIMENSIONS
Height: 0.6 m
Width: 0.23 m
Depth: 0.6 m
Location: Beauvais, MUDO, musée de l’Oise
 
Medieval Key
Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais / Franck Raux
DESCRIPTION:
Round head key with six holes and a large central, pointed end
Age: 13/14th Century
Material: Bronze
DIMENSIONS
Height: 0.6 m
Width: 0.23 m
Depth: 0.6 m
Location: Beauvais, MUDO, musée de l’Oise
  If your images are used on this site and youwould like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.

Chamberlain’s Keys

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Chamberlain’s Keys

Here are some examples of Chamberlain’s Keys. Estimate of age and origin are based on the source material from which the images are from, unless otherwise noted.

18th Century

Sold in April 2017. Seller: Auktionshaus Carsten Zeige. German/Austrian in Origin. Circa 1711-1740 Sold in April 2017. Seller: Viaggioneltempo. French in Origin. Circa 1750-1800.

19th Century

Sold in April 2017. Seller: Auktionshaus Carsten Zeige. German in Origin. Circa 1837-1851     If your images are used on this site and you would like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.

18th Century Chamberlains Key

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18th Century Chamberlain’s Key

Link
18th Century Chamberlain
18th Century Chamberlain’s Key
Seller: Auktionshaus Carsten Zeige Seller Description: Kaiserreich Österreich, Kammerherrenschlüssel aus der Regierungszeit Karls VI. (1711-1740). Der Schlüssel Bronze vergoldet mit der Chiffre Karls VI. als römisch-deutscher Kaiser und Karl III. König von Ungarn. Länge 18cm. II Google Translated to English: Empire of Austria, chamberlain’s key from the reign of Charles VI. (1711-1740). The key bronze gilded with the cipher of Charles VI. as a Roman Emperor and German Karl III. King of Hungary. Length 18cm. II   If your images are used on this site and you would like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.

Chamberlains Key 19th Century

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19th Century German Chamberlain’s Key

Link
19th Century Chamberlain
19th Century Chamberlain’s Key
Seller: Auktionshaus Carsten Zeige Seller Description: Königreich Hannover, Kammerherrenschlüssel aus der Regierungszeit von Ernst August (1837-1851). Der Schlüssel Bronze vergoldet und durchbrochen gearbeitet, Länge 13,3cm. Vgl. Duwe S. 204 II Google Translated to English: Kingdom of Hanover, chamberlain’s key from the reign of Ernst August (1837-1851). The key bronze gilded and open work, length 13.3cm. See. Duwe S. 204 II     If your images are used on this site and you would like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.

Silver Needle Case in Shape of Key

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Biedermeier Silver Needle case in the form of a key, created as a brooch with jasseron chain, Netherlands, 19th century

Another novelty item, this is a needle case in the shape of a key. Adding to it’s novelty, it has been constructed as a brooch. A jasseron chain is a fancy way of describing a chain that consists of round loops strung together. Link
Key Shaped Needle Case
Key Shaped Needle Case
Key Shaped Needle Case 2
Key Shaped Needle Case 2
Seller: Luctors Shop Seller Description:

Silver 833/1000

Age: Second half 19th century
Country: Netherlands
Weight: Other
Condition: In good condition
Material Content: .833 – Portugal [after 1886], Netherlands [until 1953], Denmark [after 1800], Norway [18th C.]

Biedermeier silver needle case in the form of a key, created as a brooch with jasseron chain Length: 10 cm Diameter: 4 cm Length chain: 27.4 cm Weight: 29.4 grams In beautiful condition Will be sent via registered mail.

If your images are used on this site and you would like them removed, please let me know in the contact form, and I’d be happy to do so.