L-Shaped Key
Unknown Artist
6th–7th century (?)
Medium
Copper alloy
Dimensions
Overall: 2 1/4 x 1 3/16 x 9/16 in. (5.7 x 3 x 1.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Copper alloy
Culture
Late Roman
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.191.218
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of Late Roman daily life with this intriguing *L-Shaped Key*, crafted from copper alloy around the 6th–7th century. Measuring just 2¼ x 1⅛ x ⅝ inches, this compact metalwork object from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Medieval Art department exemplifies the practical ingenuity of the era. Its simple yet functional L-shape allowed it to grip locks on doors, chests, or belongings, reflecting a time when the Roman Empire was fading into early medieval Europe. Forged from durable copper alloy—a versatile material prized for its corrosion resistance and workability—this key show...