Chamberlain key
Chamberlains , sometimes also called chamberlains, were high-ranking noblemen who were appointed to royal courts to provide direct service to the ruler. As a sign of their dignity, they carried a key that was often still silver-plated in the 17th century and actually fitted the door locks of the princely apartments, but since the 18th century it has been transformed into a symbolic, albeit splendid, badge of rank made of gilded bronze. which was sometimes even only embossed on one side. His large, richly decorated bow bears the monogram or coat of arms of the employer in later copies . It was worn on a black ribbon over the shoulder or on the right hip between two gold buttons and decorated with trimmings . The dignity could be awarded several times to different people at the same time. Since the chamberlain's keys are personally awarded decorations and have an elaborate design, they can still be found in antique dealers today.
Individual evidence
- ↑ William Pickl of Witkenberg: Chamberlain Almanac. Historical review of the development of chamberlain dignity. Vienna undated (around 1803), p. 14 ff.
- ↑ Brunner, p. 163
literature
- Jean-Josef Brunner: The key in the course of time , Bern / Stuttgart 1988, pp. 162–177.