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a picture of a clock and a key in a shadow boxa plaque on the top of a table with a leaf decorationan old piece of paper with writing on ita piece of luggage that has a crab on top of it
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30 - ‘A memento of 5 October 1789, taken at the Palace of Versail…
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Estimate €800 - €1,000
Sale commission
Description
‘A memento of 5 October 1789, taken at the Palace of Versailles, in the King’s apartments, by Claude Leguex, my grandfather, who entered the service of François Gamin, locksmith at the Palace of Versailles, at the age of 11 in 1788 ’ Key, with an openwork ring featuring an ‘L’ formed by crossed lines, surrounded by palm leaves, a small knob and a grooved brass base, all chiselled. Cylindrical shank, made of iron, with double bore, double bit, and a five-rake cut. Presented on a brass stand, with a rectangular base lined in burgundy velvet. The key is held in place by two lead seals, with brass wires. The entire set is housed in a small display case, lined with blue milleraies fabric. Carved wooden frame, surmounted by a gilded wreath of foliage, with a handwritten ink scroll in the centre. The exterior of the box is covered in the same fabric, with a handwritten label reading ‘Claude Legueux, my maternal grandfather, born in 1777 in Paris, who, at the age of 12, began working as a fire boy and looked after the forge in 1788 at François Gamain’s workshop, which was responsible for the locks at the Palace of Versailles. My grandfather died in 1840 at the age of 63; he had a son, Armand, my father, born in 1820; my father died in 1870. My father always told me that this key came from the Palace of Versailles. Aimé Legueu, 1898’. (wear to the canvas, cracks in the glass) According to the archives of the Palace of Versailles Museum, these keys were made by Jean-François Oeben (1721–1763), a locksmith in Versailles. François Gamain (1751–1795) was a locksmith in Versailles, on Rue de la Paroisse-Notre-Dame. He was an associate of King Louis XVI, who took a keen interest in mechanical works. He was involved in the construction of the Iron Cabinet at the Tuileries Palace in 1791. This cabinet contained secret documents in anticipation of the King’s escape, which ended at Varennes. Having lost his position following the King’s execution, he applied for a pension, claiming that Louis XVI had sought to poison him after the construction of the ‘Armoire de fer’. His claim was upheld, but he died shortly afterwards.
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About the sale MILITARIA – HISTORICAL SOUVENIRS
Auction location
Auction time 10/13/2026 at 2:00 PM
Ref. : 94526 - 43
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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