Chests, gates, and secrets: a unique exhibition of pre-revolutionary locks has arrived in Ryazan.
Very small, large and simply enormous locks and keys for them are on display at the exhibition "Russian Castle. Blacksmith's Chronicle"You can hold all the exhibits in your hands and try to close and open them.
The collection of rarities belongs to a Moscow collector. To Vyacheslav ArbuzovHis interest in locks and keys is easily explained: his grandfather was a blacksmith. And when Arbuzov first saw an antique lock, he was amazed by the craftsmanship.
"There's a term called 'decorative and applied arts,' which includes items that have both practical utility and aesthetic appeal. Unfortunately, the castle wasn't included in that list. I like to joke that when the decorative arts collection began and they were assigning roles, the castle guarded them and didn't make it into the ranks!"- I told he.
His collection includes small, decorative locks for boxes, house locks, barn locks, and even huge locks used to secure gates. Some are difficult to use—you need to find the secret, press some invisible lever. Before the Revolution, these items were not mass-produced; they were crafted by artisans. Each piece was stamped and decorated with a unique design.
Incidentally, in ancient times, a castle not only protected property from intruders, but also had a symbolic meaning—it served as a talisman against danger and evil intentions.
Arbuzov's collection contains approximately 500 antique, hand-made locks and keys.
Photo: Viktor Ivanov Gallery
