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Description: | An almost complete Medieval cast copper-alloy rotary key for a casket or box (c. 1150-c. 1500).This key has an open bow and a solid shank. The bow is sub-circular in plan (13.12 x 12.25mm) and has a circular opening, 5.66mm in diameter and is flat on each side. The shank has an overall length of about 19.0mm. Between the bow and shank there is a narrow collar. The bit (8.7 x 8.3 x 2.5mm) has one cleft at the fore and one at the rear.This rotary key has a brown patina and is worn. A small portion, close to the end of the shank near the bit, is missing.Length: 34.28mm; width: 12.25mm; thickness: 3.81mm. Weight: 4.25g.Similar keys have been published and dated 12th-14th century (Read 2001: 67, fig. 45, refs: 536-538).Small crude keys, with circular bows and mainly very simple bits, were a long-lasting form, from at least the late 12th to the late 14th century (Egan 1998: 111).
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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