A copper-alloy
casket key with an open trefoil-shaped bow, probably of Medieval (c.AD 1150 -
1500 AD) date. Description:
The key has a oval in cross-section stem, projecting from bottom of a triolbate
bow. Between the bow and the stem is a circumferential collar forming the
shoulders. The bow measures 16.32 x 16.32mm and has a small square notch at its
base, between the lower two lobes. The bit is rectangular with an inner facing
cleft and a lower cleft creating a minor measuring 4.91 x 4.09 x 1.81mm. The
stem is hollow and drilled. It is patinated a light green colour..
Discussion:
Although the bow is not easily paralleled beyond WILT-B91DF1
and LANCUM-BA8257.
However the general size, form of the stem, shoulder collar and the fact the bow
is flat fits a group of keys classified as Goodall (1990) type 9, although the
trilobate group is not represented in them. It does however cover simply warded
rectangular bits as on this example and WILT-B91DF1 and more complicated curled
bits as on LANCUM-BA8257. Dating from examples at Salisbury (Schuster et al.
2012, 166) and London (Egan 1998, 112) seem to point to a date from the mid/late
12th century to 14th century, with the type petering out some point in the 15th
century in copper-alloy and then resurfacing in the 16th century in Iron, with
iron examples rare until that point..
|