Key Handle
Unknown Artist
1st–7th century
Medium
Copper alloy
Dimensions
Overall: 3 3/4 x 1 13/16 x 1 5/8 in. (9.6 x 4.6 x 4.1 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
06.176.36
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Key Handle**, crafted by an unknown Roman artisan between the 1st and 7th centuries CE, offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of the late Roman world. Fashioned from copper alloy—a durable, corrosion-resistant material ideal for functional objects—this small piece (just 3¾ inches long) was likely part of a larger key used for securing doors, chests, or sacred spaces. Its compact dimensions highlight the Romans' skill in creating portable, practical items with potential decorative flair. In Roman culture, keys transcended mere utility, often symbolizing authority, privacy...