古中國組合鎖

Ancient Chinese Combination Locks

古中國的掛鎖可依其構造分為簧片鎖與組合鎖，本研究在於介紹組合鎖的構造、作動、及藏品。由於相關文獻的缺乏，首先輔以字典與百科全書來認識組合鎖。古中國的組合鎖多以文字為其密碼，刻在數個轉輪上，並以旋轉轉輪作為開啟方式。組合鎖的使用與藏品較簧片構造鎖少，但有些外型以龍或麒麟等吉祥動物為主題製作，頗具古中國的文化風俗。從傳世的藏品中，可推論使用組合鎖的最晚年代應為清朝，並可從其轉輪及雕工感受出當代的工藝技術與文化內涵。 Ancient Chinese padlocks can be classified into splitting-spring locks and combination locks. This work introduces the structure, the motion, and the collection of combination locks. Combination locks in the dictionaries and encyclopedias are presented first. Most of the ancient Chinese combination locks use Chinese characters engraved on the wheels as secret codes. They are opened by turning the wheels into the right positions. Compared to splitting-spring locks, combination locks have fewer applications and examples in collections. Some combination locks take the shape of auspicious animals, such as dragons or kylin. The combination locks appeared no later than the Qing dynasty based on the collected items. And, the poem and engravings on the wheels reveal the technology and culture of the age.

Ancient Chinese padlocks can be classified into splitting-spring locks and combination locks. This work introduces the structure, the motion, and the collection of combination locks. Combination locks in the dictionaries and encyclopedias are presented first. Most of the ancient Chinese combination locks use Chinese characters engraved on the wheels as secret codes. They are opened by turning the wheels into the right positions. Compared to splitting-spring locks, combination locks have fewer applications and examples in collections. Some combination locks take the shape of auspicious animals, such as dragons or kylin. The combination locks appeared no later than the Qing dynasty based on the collected items. And, the poem and engravings on the wheels reveal the technology and culture of the age.