From the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica I'm working on now at Project Gutenberg (we're up to the S's!):
SAFES, STRONG-ROOMS AND VAULTS. . . . Although it is practically certain that boxes provided with locks or coffers must have followed closely on the development of locks (q.v.) and been in use in ancient Egypt, yet no examples remain
to us of earlier date than the middle ages. The earliest examples extant were constructed of hard wood banded with hammered
iron, and subsequent development took place rather on artistic than on practical lines up to the time of the introduction of
boxes entirely of iron. On the continent of Europe the iron box was developed to a very high standard of artistic beauty and
craftsmanship, but with no real increase of security. Several specimens of these coffers supposed to be of 17th-century workmanship are preserved in the museum at Marlborough House. Cast-iron chests seem to have been made in various parts of
Great Britain in the early part of the 19th century, but the use of wrought iron was probably confined to London until 1820, or thereabouts, when the trade spread to Wolverhampton.
Attention then shifted to making them fireproof, and later to making them more burgle-proof. There were great improvements in both areas, but they were never as beautiful again.
Those are beautifully done! There are some wonderful examples meant to hold sacred treasures -- especially the relics of saints -- from Medieval Spain.
ReplyDeleteBut as for what the ancients did with their treasures, one thing they did instead of making a treasure box was to make a treasure room. There's a wonderful story about an ancient Egyptian king and a clever thief preserved in Herodotus. It suggests that the doors were sealed in addition to being locked -- perhaps with wax? -- so you could know if anyone had been inside.