1985.R.749, Key, iron, Europe, 15th - 18th century

Since the Renaissance, keys as well as locks have often been regarded as works of art. The French architect Jacques Androuet Ducereau, who died c. 1585, was the first to publish designs for keys. The art of the locksmith reached its height in France during the first half of the 17th century under King Louis XIII who, in his teens, enjoyed working at the smith's forge and bench. This key was probably chiseled from cold iron. 

Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1985), 178.

Until 1985: Emery Reves (1904-1983) and Wendy Reves (1916-2007) (owned jointly), La Pausa, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France [1]

From 1985: Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection, gift of Wendy Reves (1916-2007) [1]

[1] According to: Olivier Meslay and Martha MacLeod, From Chanel to Reves (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 2015), 4-5.

Apply to objects where number equals 1985.R.749