Habsburger Regimentskasse Chest, 17th Century

This is a manorial Habsburg regimental cash box from the 16/17 century with coin slot! This type was used by the commanders of the imperial army to pay the soldiers’ wages! It was often used before wars in the surrounding towns and villages to collect taxes which were refunded through a slot in the chest! This chest was rebuilt about the 18th century in Italy with 3 box locks and used in a summer castle in Piedmont until the 20th century! Since this chest has 3 keys it is to be assumed that there were 3 different army leaders/owners where this chest was used, because so always all three had to be present with the soldier payments/are payments/taxes around the chest to open. One prevented naturally the unlawful enrichment one of the army leaders! In this size this chest is very rare and of course a unique specimen. It sometimes appear such chests in Spain and South America and here you can also see the historical connection of the Habsburgs and the Spanish royal house!!! Detail on the side: These chests often had a dog painted on the bottom, but often the paint has disappeared over the centuries. The expression “ON THE DOG” comes from this!!! This iron chest is in excellent restored condition and the three lock boxes are fully functional!
If you want to own a piece of Austrian(European) history, you should not miss this dream piece!!!