Pair of keyhole escutcheons
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Gilt bronze
Dimensions
Overall (.584a, confirmed): 2 3/4 × 8 in. (7 × 20.3 cm); Overall (.584b, confirmed): 2 3/4 × 10 3/4 in. (7 × 27.3 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Gilt Bronze
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1906
Accession Number
07.225.510.584a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite pair of keyhole esccheons, crafted in gilt bronze during 19th-century France, exemplifies the opulent metalwork of the European decorative arts tradition. Measuring approximately 2¾ × 8 inches and 2¾ × 10¾ inches, these ornate plates were designed to adorn door keyholes, blending functionality with grandeur. The gilding technique—applying a thin layer of gold over bronze—created a luxurious sheen that caught the light in lavish interiors, a hallmark of French craftsmanship prized for its durability and visual splendor. Bearing motifs of coats of arms, these escutcheons likely s...