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Description: | A Medieval iron rotary key dating 1350 - 1400. This key has an oval bow with off-set bar along the outer edge and there is a slightly internal projection on the inner edge, directly opposite the off-set bar. The upper section of the shank has a rectangular cross-section which is decorated on two sides with an engraved cross with a line above and below. The cross-section of the shank that changes to circular and tapers to form a blunt point. The bit has assymetrical clefts and an enclosed cross-shaped aperture just below the shank. There is on horizontal cleft to the edge of the bit, then an H-shaped section , then three clefts.A similar key is illustrated by Egan (1998:113-4 no. 312) which came from a dated context (1350-1400). Only the bit and end of the shank remains of this example but the bit is very similar to the above example. Egan notes that the enclosed aperture in the bit adds to the appearance of complexity but can have served no practical purpose in a rotary mechanism at this date.Dimensions: length: 67.14mm; width: 23.69mm; thickness: 6.37mm; length of bit: 24.45mm; width of bit: 16.19mm; thickness of bit: 4.08mm; weight: 19.52g.Reference: Egan, G. 1998 The Medieval Household - Medieval finds from excavations in London. HMSO. London
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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