Portrait of Catherine of Russia, known as “the Great”
Catherine of Russia , which went down in history under the name of Great , tsarina from 1762 to 1796, she had a rather bizarre passion, namely that for keys and locks.
In this regard, the sovereign possessed an enviable collection.
We specify that at the time keys, locks and padlocks were made by the skilled hands of expert craftsmen who, especially for the most illustrious and demanding customers, were able to create small works of art, complete with chisels, embroidery and sculptures.
Catherine's mania was well known to the point of giving rise to the following anecdote: a good blacksmith, condemned to exile in freezing Siberia, obtained pardon after giving the woman a beautiful lock