Key
Unknown Artist
1st–3rd century
Medium
Copper alloy, iron
Dimensions
Overall: 3 7/16 x 1 7/16 x 5/8 in. (8.8 x 3.6 x 1.6 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Bronze
Culture
Roman
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1910
Accession Number
10.100.158
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet intriguing Roman key, dating to the 1st–3rd century CE, a glimpse into the everyday ingenuity of the ancient world. Crafted from copper alloy—likely bronze—with iron components, it measures just 3 7/16 x 1 7/16 x 5/8 inches, enough to fit in a pocket or hang from a belt. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art through Rogers Fund in 191, it resides in the Medieval Art department, bridging the late Roman Empire with early medieval metalworking traditions. Roman keys like this one were essential tools for securing doors, chests, and gates, reflecting a society that valued...