Schloss, Türschloss, Riegel, Gerät, Werkzeug

The rectangular lock case is heraldically decorated on the right with the Austrian shield and the coat of arms of the Roman-German king, the crowned one-headed eagle. The coats of arms are linked by two emblems of the Order of the Fleece, the cross of St Andrew and the striking iron. The coat of arms on the left, with its two coiled serpents, refers to the Sforza family from Milan. The shield is framed by Gothic trefoils. The connection between the coats of arms indicates a relationship between the castle and Maximilian I and his second wife, Bianca Maria Sforza. The dating of the castle is based on the wedding date of the couple in 1493 and Bianca's death on New Year's Eve 1510/1511.  The lock is decorated on both sides, with the magnificent engraved coats of arms and a dark green painting with tendrils on the back. The door lock had two locking mechanisms: on the front it could be locked and on the back it had two keys for locking, which have been preserved. It is not known where the representative lock was used. The door lock came to the Ambras Kunstkammer of Archduke Ferdinand II, where it was kept in the seventh showcase with iron objects. On the one hand, the inclusion of everyday objects such as a lock may have been motivated by artificialia and scientifica with its artistic workmanship. On the other hand, the heraldic decoration programme was of such great importance that it turned the lock into a medium of dynastic propaganda and a memento in equal measure.