Key

Art Historical Context

Step into the world of late medieval craftsmanship with this striking iron *Key* from 15th–16th Germany. Measuring 5 7/8 x 2 1/2 x 1 9/16 inches, this substantial artifact exemplifies the robust metalwork of its era, forged by an unknown artisan whose skill transformed everyday iron into a functional yet formidable object. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1910, it now graces the Medieval Art department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. the context of German culture during this transitional period—bridging the Middle Ages and the Renaissance—keys like this one were essential for securing ...