KEY (LOCKING)

Late Early-Medieval copper alloy key with openwork interlace decoration of Winchester style within the lozenge-shaped terminal. It measures 52.4mm in length and weighs 18.75g. The lozenge-shaped terminal is 25.2mm wide and c.33mm long. At one end the short stem (c.14mm long) extends, oval in section and measuring c.6.5x5.5mm. It is open at the end and slightly damaged. At the opposite end of the lozenge is a loop, turned through 90°, and 8mm in diameter (internal 4.9mm). The bit takes the form of an S on its side, with the stem forming the lower line of the S. At the opposite end of the S a tiny spike projects outwards at 90° to the plane. The lozenge shape is 3.7mm in thickness. A rim runs around the edges of the openwork decoration inside, which shows a central stem from which branches and curlicues extend. At the join with the key stem is a slightly raised inverted U-shape. The loop is quite worn at the point where it would have suspended. Kevin Leahy, National Finds Adviser (Early-Medieval), comments: The decoration looks as if it is based on the Winchester syle and I think that this object would best be placed in the tenth century.