CHIMERA KEY - The Embden Collection Renaissance, France or Italy, 17th century. Iron. Bow with elaborate, architecturally structured design. Central shaft with winged angel heads, flanked by hybrid creatures and chimeras, upper vase end flanked by two dolphins. Shoulder in the shape of a Corinthian capital. Round stem with openwork bit. H 12.5 cm. Oxidized and slightly corroded. Provenance: The Arlette and Antony Embden Collection, France. See a sketch of chimera keys illustrated in: Mathurin Jousse: La fidelle ouverture de l'art de serrurier. 1627, p. 12. The structure and elements of the key are identical to the chimera key on offer, but the chimera bodies are curved and do not lie on an intermediate plateau. This type of key enjoyed great popularity in the 19th century (Marc Feldman: Des Clefs et des Hommes. Paris 2000, p. 84f). * The full tax is charged on this item marked *, i.e. VAT is charged on the sum will be refunded to Purchasers providing a validly stamped export declaration.