In the 18th Century, great artists such as CAFFIERI, MEISONIER, DELAFOSSE, FORESTIER and GOUTHIER took an interest in the art of locksmithing, upon which some veritable masterpieces emerged from their workshops. Some of this work appears in the BRICARD collection.

CHAMBERLLAN'S KEYS:

The chamberlain was a court officer responsible for all things relating to the interior service of the King's chamber. As an insignia, he wore a bronze gilded key attached to a cord, and wore this ostensibly on his chest. This key was often also a master key and was decorated with the coat of arms of the country of origin of its bearer.