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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy of uncertain date. The key has a circular bow with central circular perforation and a small projecting knop on the outer edge of the bow opposite the stem. The stem is oval shaped in section measuring 20.16mm in length, is undecorated and hollow. At the end of the stem is the bit. This is rectangular in plan with two small rectangular clefts, one at the top and one at the bottom and each on opposite sides of the bit, giving an almost S-shaped profile. The bit itself is set at right angles to the plane of the bow. The key has some visible tool marks, particularly on the bow, has a slightly pitted surface and a dark green patina. It measures 37.50mm in length, 14.07mm in width at handle, 4.62mm in thickness, and weighs 5.51g. This key is a rotary key, probably for a small casket or similar lock. It is a little unusual in that the bit it set at right angles to the bow. A key of similar form, albeit with different shaped bow, is noted from Medieval Winchester and dated to the 13th century AD (Biddle, 1991: no. 3764). The bit on the current example is also similar to other Medieval keys recorded on the Portable Antiquities Database (see for example LVPL-0A2B13). However, an identical key is also recorded on the PAS database as being Roman in date (WAW-656540) and, given associated Roman finds from the same site, an earlier date cannot immediately be ruled out.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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