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Description: | A cast copper alloy key, possibly a casket key. The handle/bow is sub-circular in plan, with an off-centre circular hole. The stem is oval shaped in section and is tapers to a blunt point. The bit is a narrowed rectangular block with two small slots on one vertical edge and a single slot on the other. The surface of the key has a dark green coloured patina. In length, from the handle to the terminal of the stem it measures 40.68mm, and the widest point is the handle which is 14.16mm. The thickness of the stem is 3.29mm. It weighs 4.2g.
Margeson (Margeson, S. 1993 Norwich Households; Medieval and Post Medieval Finds from Norwich Survey Excavations 1971-78. East Anglian Archaeology Report No. 58) illustrates a similar key, No. 1311. This is dated to the 13th to 14th centuries. Goodhall I.H. in Biddle (Biddle, M. 1990 Object and Economy in Medieval Winchester Clarendon Press, Oxford) illustrates similar keys also, Nos. 3759, 3772 and 3798 which date to mid 13th to the early 16th century. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Bolton, Angie - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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