Antique Herring & Co Chicago Hand Painted Fire Proof Steel Bank Vault Safe Door

Description

An exceptional and rare intact example of a Herring & Co. Chicago fireproof bank vault door, circa 1860-70s. The hand painted door is made from steel and iron, a true work of art. Herring & Co Chicago is Emblazoned along the top panel around a lovely cottage landscape and framed within filigree and pin striping. The bottom panel features a fierce bronze lion head knocker. Each panel is trimmed in ornate acanthus metalwork which is continued around the edge of the door in low relief. The heavy door opens to an interior set of French doors. Behind these doors would have been the bank vault. Full size vaults doors from this era are increasingly scarce and nearly impossible to find with this level of decorative detail.

Herring & Co was established in 1841 by Mr. Silas C. Herring and later became Hall's Safe & Lock Co. A manufacturer of locks, safes and bank vaults throughout the second half of the 19th century and the largest vault manufacturer in the world by 1867. Responsible for one-half the entire output of fire proof and burglar proof safes and vaults in the United States by 1874, with a large foot print on the rest of the world.

Condition

Good Antique Condition; some staining and residue expected from age

Dimensions

28" x 40" x 84"