What were antique steel boxes used for?

These containers served varied purposes ranging from securing legal documents and money to storing personal items like snuff, jewellery, and letters. Strongboxes and deed boxes protected valuables in offices and homes. Smaller items like snuff boxes and pocket containers were carried daily by gentlemen, while decorative caskets sat on dressing tables or desks.

How do I secure and clean a steel box?

Maintenance requires keeping the metal dry and free from moisture to prevent rust, applying light protective oils where appropriate. Original locks should be handled with care to preserve their complex internal mechanisms. Avoid abrasive cleaners that might damage delicate engravings, cut steel mounts, or patinated surfaces.

How can I tell the period of a steel box?

Dating relies on construction methods, lock complexity, and decorative styles associated with specific eras such as the 17th-century oak and steel combinations or later Victorian industrial techniques. Engraved dates and maker signatures occasionally provide direct evidence. Accessory materials like brass embellishments, velvet linings, and exterior woodwork also help place a piece within its historical context.

Are keys usually included with these boxes?

Many surviving examples retain their original operational keys and internal keeps, particularly heavier deed boxes and safes. However, due to the passage of centuries, some pieces survive without working keys. The presence of an original complex lock and matching key significantly enhances the completeness of a piece.