Key

Art Historical Context

This unassuming iron key, crafted by an unknown German artisan between 1600 and 1640, offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of early modern Europe. Measuring just 5½ inches (14 cm) in length it belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative collection, a gift from Henry G. Marquand in 1887. As a prime example of metalwork-iron, it highlights the blacksmith's skill in forging durable tools that blended utility with subtle elegance. In 17th-century Germany, amid the transition from Renaissance to Baroque styles, keys like this were essential for securing hom...