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Description: | Cast copper alloy key, probably dating to the late Early Medieval period (c.900-1066 AD). Only the bow, stem and a small section of the bit remain. The key has a roughly T or hammer shaped bow which is rectangular in section. The stem is attached to the foot of the T and there is a small rectangular projection from the centre of the cross bar opposite the stem. This projection continues into a square sectioned bar with a pelta shaped terminal. The bow has an open-work cross in the centre. The cross is formed of a wide upright at right angles to the stem and a much narrower cross bar. The stem is oval in section, flush with the bow on one side and stepped forward in two steps on the other, possibly a debased animal head with the steps representing the muzzle and brow ridge. There is a slight suggestion of moulded ears behind the possible brow ridge. The bit has been lost, broken along the channel, leaving a small, sub-rectangular panel which is similar in thickness to the bow. The breaks are old and worn. It measures 45.5mm in length, 18.4mm in width at the bow and 7.5mm at the bit, 4.7mm in thickness and weighs 6.37g.A similar, more complete key can be found on this database in LIN-67C243. This example, with others on the database, have been dated to the late Early Medieval, although none from excavated contexts have yet been published in the usual literature making dating speculative.
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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