Within these two galleries there are more than 1400 collection pieces made of iron and other metals. There are knockers, latches, keys, hinges, strong boxes, scissors and much much more.

Our collection of wrought iron is made up mainly of Spanish pieces going back as far as the 13th century or as recently as the 19th century. It is the Catalan pieces that dominate-it was here that this artisanal technique reached its highest levels of perfection and professional recognition starting in the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the founding of the Gremi de Serrallers (locksmiths guild) in the 14th century.

An interest in these objects goes back to the recovery and revaluation of artisanal trades, a movement that took place in the late 19th century, especially during the Modernist era. Frederic Marès, who continued with this tradition, was also interested in ancient irons.

Let's look at several of the more significant pieces. In Hall 1, notice the wall to the left of the elevator. On view here are a door lock plate with the initials PO from a building in the Cistersian monastery of Poblet in Tarragona and a collection of blade shears from Extremadura.

While looking at the key collection in Hall 2, take a moment to notice the small grouping of Roman and Medieval keys in showcase 3, which are laid out on a red velvet cloth.

Just opposite, there are projects that were carried out by apprentices to master locksmiths, which they used to show off their technical and artistic abilities. There are two titles belonging to masters from Barcelona from the late 19th century. Notice the one which is preserved over a large wooden chest together with a few prototypes and several tools.