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Description: | A complete copper alloy rotary key of probable Medieval dating (AD 1150 to AD 1400).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 a circular collar projection located at the central point on the outside edge. The collar has a narrow ridge at either end, with a wider ridge in between. Two sub triangular ridged knops are present on the exterior of the bow, almost resembling wings. The internal diameter of the bow is 12.5 mm. 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 hollow rod, rectangular in plan and circular in section. Small diagonal grooves, in a zig zag pattern are present on the top and sides of the shank.The bit is sub rectangular in plan and cross section. The clefts consist of one large vertical one the length of the bit, located centrally. Two horizontal clefts have been removed from the end of the bit, resulting in a small rectangular extension. Small horizontal grooves are present on both sides.The key measures 93.3 mm in length, 27.9 mm wide and 8.1 mm thick. It weighs 36.1 gThe key is a mid green colour and has an even surface patina.From the size of the key and the presence of a hollow shank it is likely that the key would have been used to lock a casket or chest rather than a door. Door locks tend to have a solid shank and are larger (ibid: 111). The keys illustrated in Egan (1998, 111-119) are all dated from the late 12th - to late 14th centuries (AD 1150 - AD 1400). Therefore a similar date is suggested here for this example. A similar key has been recorded on the PAS database as DUR-C0E7B7.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: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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