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Description: | An incomplete cast copper-alloy finger ring key, or 'ring-key', of Roman date. It is missing half of the hoop, but is otherwise complete. The hoop is D-shaped in section with flat inner and rounded outer edge, and has an external diameter of 20mm. To one side is a flattened rectangular bezel from which extends the integral bit. This has an oval sectioned shaft set ata right angle to the hoop and with a hollow tip. The bit itself is rectangular in section, and forms an 'S-shape' with right angled turns. An additional right angled turn extends from the top, and this has a series of five rectangular teeth at its outer edge. The entire object has a very worn dark green patina. It measures20mm in length, 18mm in width, 4mm in thickness at the bit, and 6.85g in weight.This ring finds parallels in examples published by Crummy (1983: nos. 2165, 2169), as well as on the PAS database (e.g. DOR-8FF913, LANCUM-50C0B8), and is of Guiraud Type 5. Keys of this type are associated with small boxes or caskets of personal possessions rather than larger objects such as doors or cupboards, and are dated by Crummy (1983: p. 84) to the 3rd-4th centuries AD.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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