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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 aperature. The stem is oval shaped in section and has a hollow terminal. The bit is a narrowed rectangular side ways 'H' shaped block. The surface of the key has a mid green coloured patina. In length, from the handle to the terminal of the stem it measures 35.14mm, and the widest point is the handle which is 11.71mm. The thickness of the stem is 4.28mm. It weighs 4.5g.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.
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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