Detector Lock
ca. 1680 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This 'detector' lock shows how many times a door had been unlocked by means of a numbered dial set to the right of the clock. The figure of a man holds a pointer against the dial. Each time the key is turned in the lock, the engraved dials rotates and the pointer indicates a number. The key-hole is concealed by the man's front leg, which operates on a pivot. When a button is pressed, the leg swings forward to reveal the keyhole. The door-bolt is released by tilting the man's hat.
Use
Such a lock would have been fitted to the door of a private closet, where important business took place.
Inscription
The front of the lock is engraved with the verse:
If I had ye gift of tongue
I would declare and do no wrong
Who ye are ye come by stealth
To impare my Master's wealth.
This 'detector' lock shows how many times a door had been unlocked by means of a numbered dial set to the right of the clock. The figure of a man holds a pointer against the dial. Each time the key is turned in the lock, the engraved dials rotates and the pointer indicates a number. The key-hole is concealed by the man's front leg, which operates on a pivot. When a button is pressed, the leg swings forward to reveal the keyhole. The door-bolt is released by tilting the man's hat.
Use
Such a lock would have been fitted to the door of a private closet, where important business took place.
Inscription
The front of the lock is engraved with the verse:
If I had ye gift of tongue
I would declare and do no wrong
Who ye are ye come by stealth
To impare my Master's wealth.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Brass and engraved steel, with restorations; cast steel key |
| Brief description | Detector lock, brass, made by John Wilkes, Birmingham, ca. 1670-1700 |
| Physical description | Detector lock made of brass and engraved steel with a cast steel key. Signed IOHANNES WILKES FECIT DE BIRMINGHAM and inscribed: 'IF I HAD YE GIFT OF TONGUE | I WOULD DECLARE AND DO NO WRONG | WHO YE ARE YT COME BY STEALTH | TO IMPARE MY MASTER'S WELTH'. A secret catch swings the man's leg forward to reveal the keyhole and his toe points to an odd number on the inner ring. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Signed IOHANNES WILKES FECIT DE BIRMINGHAM and inscribed: 'IF I HAD YE GIFT OF TONGUE | I WOULD DECLARE AND DO NO WRONG | WHO YE ARE YT COME BY STEALTH | TO IMPARE MY MASTER'S WELTH'. |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Made in Birmingham by John Wilkes (died 1733) and signed by him. The Museum bought the lock in 1926 from a Mr E.P. Kelly for £22. |
| Summary | Object Type This 'detector' lock shows how many times a door had been unlocked by means of a numbered dial set to the right of the clock. The figure of a man holds a pointer against the dial. Each time the key is turned in the lock, the engraved dials rotates and the pointer indicates a number. The key-hole is concealed by the man's front leg, which operates on a pivot. When a button is pressed, the leg swings forward to reveal the keyhole. The door-bolt is released by tilting the man's hat. Use Such a lock would have been fitted to the door of a private closet, where important business took place. Inscription The front of the lock is engraved with the verse: If I had ye gift of tongue I would declare and do no wrong Who ye are ye come by stealth To impare my Master's wealth. |
| Bibliographic reference | Rupert Gentle and Rachael Feild, Domestic Metalwork 1640-1820, Antique Collectors Club, 1998, p. 384
Bracegirdle 1972, p.80 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.109-1926 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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