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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy key (broken into two parts), dating to the 14th/ 15th century, between AD 1300 - 1500 (overall length: 86mm; width at head: 29mm; diameter of shank: 9mm; overall weight: 39.4g). At the top of the key, there is a complete and separately attached hollow circular collar (length: 8mm; diameter: 13mm), which may have been used as a suspension loop from a belt or from around a person??s neck. At the top and bottom near the outside edge of the collar, there is a single incised line running around the collar??s circumference. The collar is attached around the top protruding knob of a lozenge-shaped bow (length of bow: approximately 23mm; width: see above; thickness: 4.5mm), which also has protruding knobs to the left and right at the pointed tips. The artefact is completely broken in a slanted line across the key??s bow. At the bottom of the bow, there is another collar (length: 11.5mm; diameter: 11mm), which is moulded and slightly raised with an additional single recessed ridge at the top and bottom. The circular and hollow shank of the key then extends from this collar (length: 50mm; diameter: 9mm) to the hollow and open tip at the end. The complete bit (length: 19mm; width: 19mm; thickness: 5mm) is comprised of one main bar which has a large notch at the bottom near the shank with another notch along the outside edge, as well as another immediately below. Overall, the key is in a worn and poor condition with a patchy dark green patina. A very similar design was found at Fresh Wharf in London and is now part of the Museum of London collection (see London Museums Catalogues: No. 7, 1940, page 140 & plate XXX, ref no 30). This type of key has been classified by Ward Perkins as a Type V in the catalogue, and may be dated to the 14th and 15th centuries. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Johnson, Caroline - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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