Skip to main content
  1. Art
  2. The Collection

Lock for Chest

Korean

Artwork Details

Lock for Chest
late 19th–early 20th century
Korean
metal
2 11/16 x 5 11/16 x 1 7/16 in. (6.8 x 14.3 x 3.6 cm);5/8 x 6 7/16 x 5/8 in. (1.5 x 16.3 x 1.5 cm)
Gift of Ok Ja Chang and the Chang Family
2009/2.57

Tags

Description

Physical Description:

A large metal bar lock, similar to a u-bar lock fitted with a long key, meant to use as a lock for a chest.

The shape and structure of this lock conform to those of the conventional “ㄷ”-shaped type of lock. However, its round body resembles the shape of a pipe when viewed from the side. This type of lock was most frequently used for locking small chests and boxes. It was made by forging and soldering iron. The tip of the key resembles the letter “T” in shape, standing at an angle perpendicular to the handle.

[Korean Collection, University of Michigan Museum of Art (2017), 245]

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.