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Description: | The object is a rotary key possibly belonging to a casket. The length from the bow to the terminal of the shank is 74.5mm. The widest part is the handle which is 25.2mm and the thickness of the shank is 9.5mm. The object is made of cast copper alloy and weighs 28.20g
Only part of the bow now remains, the rest is missing. The crescent shape of the bow frame suggests that it may have originally comprised of a sub-circular or oval loop. Integral to the bow, the shank, is oval in cross-section and hollow at the end. At the junction of the shank and the bow, the shank is slightly thicker. In the same place a single sub-circular hole, approximately 4.5mm wide is visible. The hole is cone shaped in profile and does not perforate the entire width of the shank. It is possible that hole may represent some form of damage, the area around and within the hole, however, shows no signs of corrosion or damage, which suggests that the hole may have been created deliberately.
The bit is 20.1mm wide by 10.0mm long. The bit has a stepped cleft, 7.0mm at its deepest point along the outer vertical edge and a single rectangular cleft approximately 8.2mm deep along the lower, traverse edge. The object shows little sign of abrasion and apart from the damage, is in a fair condition with a good dark green patina.
Margeson has a range of keys similar in style to the recorded example, with hollow stems/shanks (see Margeson, S. 1993 Norwich Households: Medieval and Post Medieval Finds from Norwich Survey, Excavations 1971-78. East Anglian Archaeology 58), see fig. 118. According to Margeson casket keys appear to date from between the 13th to 16th centuries. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Housley, Sarah - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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