Locksmith's Hall

In the southern passage, a callection of wrought iron screens.Windows of monasteries and private houses had strong grilles, some with elaborale designs wrought by anonymous craftsmen. The oldest are the simplest. Baroque grilles were from the final century of the colonial period when French influence was reflected in manners, fashiolls and even in the decoration of the exterior of buildings.

Wrought iron grilles. Chilean, 17th and 18th centuries.

Grille with lances. Chilean, anonymous. First half of 19th century. 182.x 134tm.

Anonymous. 18th century. 200 x l35 cm.

Cross. Anonymous. 17th century. 260 cm. high.

Grille. Chilean, anonymous. 18th century. Wrough iron. 217 x 158 cm.

The museum has a collection of Latin American locks and hinges given by the Montero Harnecker family in 1972. The collection comprises numerous pieces of varied designs from the 16th to l9th centuries, assembled by Jorge Cruz Montt about 1900.
The shoulder structure of eagles's wings, stylized birds, floral forms, castles, shields, escutcheons and themes inspired by heraldric symbols are the basic elements in the wide range of designs of these locks and hinges. They had an indispensable practical function for securing doors, windows, safes, jewel chests, closets and at the same time were a decorative element in the architecture and furniture of the period.

Image, Spanish American locks
Spanish American locks, 17th and 18th centuries. Wrought iron and fretwork.

SERIES ON SAN D1EGO OF A LCALA
This series is hung on the walls of the Locksmith and Silver Galleries and comprises 47 canvases painted in Cuzco between 1705 and 1715 by an anonymous artist to decorate the College of San Diego constructed in 1672 where the University of Chile stands today.
San Diego was born in San Nicolás, Seville, about 1393. In 1441 he went to the island of Fuenteventura in the Canaries as a Franciscan monk, died in Alcalá de Henares in the year 1463 and was canonized in 1588.

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