Chamberlain Keys

by Jacques Farran, Auctioneer

Chamberlain keys are amongst the most beautiful and most collected of keys. Originally, chamberlains were expected to help the monarch in his chamber rooms at the time of his dressing and undressing. Due to their proximity to the king and the role of messenger that was subsequently attached to their position, theirs was a highly coveted title.

A distinctive symbol of the chamberlain’s access to the intimacy of princes, chamberlain keys were made of wrought iron and used to fit door locks until the 18th century. However, starting in the 1750s, they lost any practical purpose and were replaced by models made of gilded bronze.

As these keys became honorary items, their bit - the part operating the lock - disappeared, while their bow became more and more beautifully decorated, as evidenced by our lovely chiseled specimen bearing Marie-Louise’s monogram. Worn on the chamberlain’s belt, these keys were akin to rank-insignias. Such a key is prominently featured on a portrait by Velasquez - housed in the Museu de Arte de São Paulo - as a symbol of the model’s success.

As the title of chamberlain, common to almost all European courts, could be awarded to a large number of courtesans at the same time, it is not rare to find multiple keys having the same design.