Haha. I agree with Vogon Poet. You take us closer and closer, help us see the beauty in the details. The decorative work in that lock is nearly lost to age and yet, by focusing on it, you give it a voice.
At Ham House there is nothing more exciting than to say "I'll get the key to the main door and let you out that way". You rummage in the drawer and pull out the huge 1610 key, slip it into the 1610 lock and it turns smoothly, like a hot knife through butter. Such a feeling of connection with the past! People are always impressed when you wave the key about with a small, discrete flourish before slotting it into the lock.
Bibi, I don't know why they are upside-down but we must find out. Chuckeroon, perhaps you know with all your work at Ham House? I lived for six years in a Jacobean house in Kent and that had just such a key as you describe. It was an amazing feeling to use it every day to open the very old, very low (!) door to enter the place or leave.
Here are details of the old lock and, in the smaller photograph, the doorknob - see yesterday's post.
belle macro, j'aime ce détail, on sent la rouille de cette serrure.
ReplyDeleteWonderful details, I still hope to find something like this around here.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to se the key of this lock.
These are beautiful, and nowadays you'd pay so much for something similar, whereas once-upon-a-time they were commonplace.
ReplyDeleteI've often noticed that the keyholes in older locks are 'upside down'. Do you know why? Or perhaps we're upside down now.
Haha. I agree with Vogon Poet. You take us closer and closer, help us see the beauty in the details. The decorative work in that lock is nearly lost to age and yet, by focusing on it, you give it a voice.
ReplyDeleteGetting to grips with the macros,J!
ReplyDeleteAt Ham House there is nothing more exciting than to say "I'll get the key to the main door and let you out that way". You rummage in the drawer and pull out the huge 1610 key, slip it into the 1610 lock and it turns smoothly, like a hot knife through butter. Such a feeling of connection with the past! People are always impressed when you wave the key about with a small, discrete flourish before slotting it into the lock.
It is almost encrusted in the old wood. How many hands and fingers have touched it !
ReplyDeleteIt is almost encrusted in the old wood. How many hands and fingers have touched it !
ReplyDeleteBibi, I don't know why they are upside-down but we must find out. Chuckeroon, perhaps you know with all your work at Ham House? I lived for six years in a Jacobean house in Kent and that had just such a key as you describe. It was an amazing feeling to use it every day to open the very old, very low (!) door to enter the place or leave.
ReplyDelete400 years???? Amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Nice you share with these photos:)
ReplyDeleteDoors and locks, I love them the older the better. I wonder if there is an old key somewhere that fits that door lock
ReplyDeleteSuch a long time for the wood. How did they determine its age?
ReplyDelete466 years!! Wow! That is such a great photo of the lock. Really nice details :)
ReplyDeletewould love to see the key that goes with it!!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting close up. I think it might look great in b&w.
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Wow, I can not imagine the age of these.
ReplyDeleteThis is just an incredibly beautiful image of lock and door, Jilly. Your whole Rue Longue series is truly wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes, the key may be a bit heavy, but I wouldn't care! :-)
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't realize that the door was that old.
ReplyDelete