Early German Iron Cofre

This little 'cofre' could best be described using the aphorism 'the best things come in small packages'.  In spite of it's diminutive scale, this 17th century forged and wrought iron cofre from Germany can hold it's own. The blacksmith who authored this box and the locksmith who engineered its lock, were clever in their designs. To prevent sticky fingers from lifting  it's contents and wandering eyes from surveilling them, the front panel, with faux hinges, mimic the operable hinges on the back panel and the hasp, which conceals the keyhole, is also operable on one side and fixed on the other. Lifting the working hasp to reveal the keyhole beneath it requires some investigative work and a bit of finesse, another deliberate design feature, but once the hasp has been raised and the key inserted the lock mechanism turns effortlessly. The design is a clever one because the smart thief knows that solving this riddle would take precious time that he cant spare and the ignorant thief would squander that precious time trying to solve a riddle he cant solve. 

The interior with original apricot colored polychromy. 

Dimensions: 6 inches long x 4.5 inches high x 4.25 inches wide. 

Condition notes: in good, original condition. Lidded top with binding seal and lock mechanism in working order. 

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