Iron Lock, Firedogs and Hasp, Antique Chromolithograph, 1851

This is an original antique chromolithograph, printed in dark iron brown, bronze and steel blue highlights, lettered "A. SERRURE EN FER. Collection de M. Sauvageot, à Paris. B. C. CHENETS EN FER (XVe Siécle) Collect. de M. Benoni-Verhelst, à Gand. D. MORAILLON DE SERRURE. (XVe Siécle) Collection de M. Guénébault, à Paris." At the center, lettered A, is a rectangular lock plate with two bearded saints in relief, each holding a book and a staff or sword, set between turned columns under Gothic canopies, with the keyhole between them. At the right, lettered B, is a firedog whose scrolled shaft supports a youth with a shield standing on a dragon, with two crouching figures at its base. At the upper left, lettered C, is a standing female figure, and below it, lettered D, a tapering hasp with a saint under a gabled canopy.

The running head reads "LE MOYEN-AGE ET LA RENAISSANCE." and "FERRONNERIE Pl. IV." (ironwork, plate 4). The credits are "Rivaud et Soltau del.", "Chromolith. Lemercier" and "Ch. Walter lith.", with "F. Séré direxit" at the foot. In English the caption reads: A. Iron lock, collection of Mr. Sauvageot, Paris. B, C. Iron firedogs (fifteenth century), collection of Mr. Benoni-Verhelst, Ghent. D. Hasp of a lock (fifteenth century), collection of Mr. Guénébault, Paris.

Le Moyen Âge et la Renaissance was edited by Paul Lacroix, who also wrote as the Bibliophile Jacob, with Ferdinand Séré directing the illustrations, and it was published in Paris in five volumes between 1848 and 1851. The work surveys the manners, customs, trade, industry, sciences and arts of Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and its chapters were illustrated with plates after objects in museums, churches and private collections of the day. This plate belongs to the fourth volume, issued in 1851.

With its lettering intact, the plate suits a plain mat and a simple frame, and it hangs well beside other plates from the same chapter.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.