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Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy rotary key of probable Medieval dating (1150 to 1400 AD).The key is irregular in plan and cross section. The key can be described in several sections: The bow or handle, shank and bit.The bow is sub circular in shape, with two sub rectangular projections located at the central point on the outside edge. An openwork cross is present in the centre of the bow, with a circular perforation located in each quarter of the cross. It has a rectangular cross section. The shank is attached to the bow at the mid point of the right hand side. The shank consists of an rod, rectangular in plan and circular in cross section.The bit is incomplete. It is sub rectangular in plan and cross section. The clefts consist of two complete vertical slots and one incomplete one, with a horizontal slot located beneath it.The key is a dark green colour and has an even surface patina.The key measures 96.79 mm in length, 35.38 mm wide and is 9.13 mm thick. It weighs 54.2 grams.From the size of the key and the presence of a solid shank it is likely that the key would have been used to lock a door rather than a casket or chest. Chest locks tend to have a hollow shank and are significantly smaller (ibid: 111). The keys illustrated in Egan (1998, 111-119) are all dated from the late 12th - to late 14th centuries (1150-1400). Therefore a similar date is suggested here for this example.Reference:Egan, G. Security Equipment in Egan 1998Egan, G. 1998 The Medieval Household Daily Living c.1150-c.1450. Medieval finds from Excavations in London 6. London. Museum of London / The Stationery Office.
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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