Locks and keys
More than 10.000 objects from the Roman period to the 20th century provide a fascinating insight into the world of locking systems. Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces are highlights of the exhibition. On display are guns in the shape of keys and keys to lock away indulgence money, locks with musical mechanisms and those which have hidden shooting devices. The unusual widowers’ and chamberlains’ keys also have captivating stories to tell.
The exhibits in the collection are primarily from Western and Central Europe. There are also a number of objects from China, Tibet, Nepal, India, Persia, Afghanistan and Africa, collected by Hanns Schell on his numerous mountaineering expeditions. The extensive collection of African Tuareg locks is truly unique.
Chests and cabinets
Besides locks and keys, the museum displays an extensive collection of antique chests and cabinets. Visitors can admire the techniques of artisans from past generations in each of these handcrafted items which range from early Roman bronze and ivory cassettes to Gothic prayerbook holders and the early Baroque Michel and Conrad Mann caskets.
Other items of special interest are etched iron chests from the Renaissance, several Boulle cassettes and the famous Limoges Reliquaries from the Middle Ages.
Wrought iron objects
Our collection of wrought iron contains antique door fittings, door knockers and door handles, as well as beautifully crafted iron doors, window gratings, cemetery crosses, and chastity belts.
Cast iron
The cast iron collection on the second floor contains approximately 3,000 exhibits. Objects include a number of items from the foundries of Mariazell and Berlin as well as items from cast iron plants around the world. On display are various religious and secular items used in daily life including iron busts, brooches and badges, and jewelery made of iron or cut steel. Visitors will also see a number of intersting cast-iron stoves and stovetops.
Craftsmen’s Guild Signs
The museum also displays an exhibition of Craftsmen’s Guild Signs.
Africa and Asia
The entire collection from Africa and Asia is presented on an additional exhibition space of 600 squaremetres on the third floor of our museum.
Wooden locks and carved doors from the Western African ethnic groups of Dogon and Bamana demonstrate various systems of locking from African cultures. Additionally, there is a large collection of Tuareg padlocks made out of silver, brass, copper and iron.
The focus of Hanns Schell’s Asian collection is on locks, keys, caskets and doors from the Himalayan region. From his numerous journeys he brought back exquisitely chased and engraved padlocks from Nepal and Tibet. Large hammered silver boxes from Tibetan monasteries are a highlight of the collection. China and the Indo-Iranian Area contribute padlocks in the shape of animals and fine boxes made out of a large variety of materials. Elaborate carved doors from Pakistan and northern India complete the exhibition.
