Key Handle
Unknown Artist
1st–7th century
Medium
Copper alloy
Dimensions
Overall: 1 1/2 x 1 1/16 x 1 in. (3.8 x 2.7 x 2.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Copper alloy
Culture
Roman
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, De Souhami Collection, Rogers Fund, 1906
Accession Number
06.176.29
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval department, this delicate *Key Handle* from the culture (1st–th century) exemplifies the metalwork of antiquity. Crafted from copper alloy, it measures just 1 1/2 x 1 1/16 x 1 inches, a testament to the Romans' mastery in creating functional yet finely wrought objects. Acquired in 1906 through the Souhami Collection and Fund, it invites us to ponder the everyday artistry of a vast empire. In Roman society, keys symbolized authority, security, and domestic control, often carried by household matrons or trusted servants. This handle, likely p...