Rights Holder: Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
KEY (LOCKING)
Unique ID: WILT-D8A7B4
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete but slightly bent Post-Medieval (1550-1700) iron rotary key, measuring 127.03mm in length (un-bent c.134mm) and weighing 79.9g.
The key has an oval bow measuring 48.70x30.52mm (internal 41.35x23.17mm), the edges of which are D-shaped in cross-section and stand c.6mm high. The stem is circular in cross-section, thickening from 8.84mm diameter beyond the bow to 12.03mm diameter before the bit. It extends c.10mm beyond the bit, and measures 9.35mm in diameter at the end.
The bit comprises two sections, a Z and backwards Z projecting from a short collar and placed slightly apart (c.2mm). It projects 32.45mm.
A 17th century date is suggested for a comparable example from London (LON-7B88B3). Cf. also Egan, G, 2005; Material Culture in London in an Age of Transition, p. 74 which records similar incomplete keys from a context securely dated to 1550-1600 AD.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1550
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 127.03 mm
Width: 48.7 mm
Weight: 79.9 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st September 2011 - Wednesday 12th October 2011
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: Salisbury Museum receipt 3767
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Malmesbury
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: WILT-D1BD41
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
An incomplete Medieval (1150-1400) copper alloy casket key with a collared lozenge-shaped bow and circular perforation, measuring 32.70mm in …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SUSS-45B016
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A large iron rotary key, dating from the medieval to post medieval periods; c. AD 1400 - 1600.
The bow of the key is kidney shaped with …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: WILT-3FE1A6
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete, simple copper alloy casket key of medieval period, dating to AD c. 1150-1400. The key has a circular bow and a short stem that ex…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618