Inspired By: Lafayette's Key to the Bastille
Some objects unlock doors.
Others unlock history.
Among the most remarkable artifacts of the French Revolution is a simple iron key—believed to have opened the prison gates of the Bastille. After the fortress fell on July 14, 1789, the Marquis de Lafayette presented the key to his friend, George Washington, as a symbol of liberty triumphing over tyranny.
Today, that historic key is preserved at Mount Vernon, where it remains one of George Washington's most treasured possessions.
Its elegant silhouette inspired Jefferson Brass Company's solid brass Key to the Bastille.
The Key That Crossed an Ocean
When revolution swept through France, the Bastille stood as the ultimate symbol of royal authority.
Although only a handful of prisoners remained inside, its towering walls represented generations of absolute monarchy. On July 14, an angry crowd stormed the fortress, an event that would forever change the course of history.
Soon afterward, the Marquis de Lafayette—hero of both the American and French Revolutions—sent one of the Bastille's original keys across the Atlantic to George Washington.
In his accompanying letter, Lafayette described it as "a tribute which I owe as a son to my adopted father."
Washington proudly displayed the key at Mount Vernon, where it became a lasting symbol of the shared ideals that united two revolutions.
More Than a Key
The Bastille Key is more than a historic artifact.
It represents freedom over oppression, hope over fear, and the enduring belief that ordinary people can shape the course of history.
Its graceful proportions and unmistakable profile have made it one of the most recognizable ceremonial keys ever preserved.
More than two centuries later, it continues to inspire historians, collectors, and lovers of American and French history alike.
Recreated in Solid Brass
Jefferson Brass Company's Key to the Bastille faithfully captures the elegant form of Lafayette's historic gift.
Hand-cast in solid brass using traditional techniques, it transforms one of history's most meaningful symbols into a timeless decorative object.
Whether displayed on a desk, bookshelf, coffee table, or entry console, it serves as a beautiful reminder that even the simplest objects can carry extraordinary stories.
Polished to a brilliant shine or allowed to develop a rich patina, solid brass only becomes more beautiful with age.
A Conversation Piece with Meaning
Great homes are filled with objects that invite curiosity.
The Key to the Bastille does exactly that.
At first glance, it is a beautifully crafted brass key. But behind its elegant design lies a remarkable journey—from the storming of the Bastille, to Lafayette's hands, across the Atlantic to George Washington, and ultimately to Mount Vernon, where it remains today.
Bring a Symbol of Liberty Home
Some pieces of décor simply fill a space.
Others preserve a story.
Inspired by one of history's most celebrated artifacts, Jefferson Brass Company's Key to the Bastille offers a connection to the ideals of courage, freedom, and friendship that shaped two nations.
Because the most meaningful objects don't just decorate a home.
They remind us of the history that helped shape our world.
