Lot n° 410
Estimation :
50 - 60
EUR
Result without fees
Result
: 60EUR
NIGHTINGALE OF LOCKSMITH
Iron, consisting... - Lot 410 - Lucien Paris
NIGHTINGALE OF LOCKSMITH
Iron, consisting of a ring (called "volière") supporting nineteen master keys, each with the inscriptions "PARIS" and "CB".
Its name comes from Antoine Rossignol, a 17th century cryptologist. This researcher, in love with numbers and other encrypted codes,
became one of the best experts in coding and encryption of data but also a specialist in decryption of secure
secure communications.
The story goes that the very first master key, called "skeleton key", was invented by Antoine Rossignol
by Antoine Rossignol in order to open all the locks of the kingdom of Louis XIV. By semantic shift, a "locksmith's nightingale
is a set of simple and complementary master keys: a combination of keys to open any type of lock.
These are characterized by simple and complex bits, with various notches more or less worked, allowing
to unlock different types of cylinders. All these keys are grouped together on a ring, the "aviary".
c. 1920.
A similar example is kept in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design in Bordeaux, Paul Berthelot collection.
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue