Antique safe made by Franz Karlovich San Galli (1824-1908). Metal. Russia, XIX century.This is the same famous engineer of German-Italian origin, who, more than 150 years ago in Russia, invented a cast-iron radiator (battery). An idealist and, at the same time, a man of extraordinary intelligence, character and assertiveness, possessing the qualities of a real entrepreneur, he achieved every goal set by him. Franz moved to Russia in 1842 from Germany, to St. Petersburg. Life did not spoil the young inventor, but he did not give up, and very soon achieved success. His first order was the repair of the heating system in Tsarskoe Selo. Franz Karlovich successfully married and converted to Orthodoxy, founded his own production. At the age of 28, Franz Karlovich opens his own enterprise on Ligovsky Prospekt. He became the first in the field of engineering equipment for buildings, devoted a lot of time to the development and expansion of the range of products that his production offered. In addition to radiators, disinfection devices, ventilation systems, mechanical washbasins appeared, to which safes and artistic casting were added. At the enterprise of Franz Karlovich San Galli, the lattice of the gates of the Winter Palace was cast, fences, benches and sculptures were cast. It must be said that lavatories appeared in St. Petersburg thanks to San Galli, made in the manner of Westerners. This enterprise has grown into a foundry in the very center of St. Petersburg. "Without haste and rest" - this motto has united more than 800 professionals who have worked together with San Galli.

Safes are an irreplaceable thing, especially safes, on which a double-headed eagle is applied - an emblem - gratitude presented by the Imperial House to F.K. San Galli, the quality of such safes was legendary. San Galli valued his reputation, and it was justified: his safes were considered complex and indestructible. Along with the permission to put the emblem on the safe, San Galli was also granted the title of nobility, the rank of state councilor (the rank of general).