Sleutel
Unknown Artist
ca. 1400 - ca. 1500
Medium
iron (metal)
Dimensions
6.1; 3.1
About this artwork
Sleutel met ruitvormig oog. De korte schacht eindigt onder de baard in een stompe punt.
Art Historical Context
### Medieval Iron Key: *Sleutel* Step into the everyday world of late medieval Europe with this intriguing iron key, dating from around 1400 to 1500. Measuring just 6.1 cm long and 3.1 cm wide, this compact artifact features a distinctive diamond-shaped bow (or "oog" in Dutch), ideal for gripping with gloved hands or in dim light. Its short shaft ends in a blunt point beneath an intricately cut beard—the toothed bit that engaged the lock's mechanism—showcasing the practical ingenuity of medieval locksmiths. Forged from iron, a durable yet challenging medium, this key highlights the blacksmit...