Ancient Roman Bronze Key Ring

$94.78

A very fine Ancient Roman bronze key ring featuring a round loop and a notched protruding key. The key portion extends above the loop and features a unique geometric design which would have been used to unlock a type of box, possibly a trinket box. Closest UK ring size G.

Date: Circa 1st-4th Century AD
Condition: Very fine condition. Some brown and green patination to the surface.

SOLD

SKU: CS-222 Category: Tags: ,

Small and elegant ring keys such as these were a Roman innovation. Sometimes they depicted the door for which they were designed to unlock. Furthermore, keys were considered a status symbol because the owner implied that he had valuable assets to protect by wearing them. Such rings are also believed to have symbolised marriage or betrothal, and were worn by Roman brides to signify their role in household management. Keys and lock bolts account for the most common items of Roman security hardware to survive today. Keys were used mainly for doors, chests, boxes, caskets, cupboards, and padlocks, although they sometimes served ceremonial or decorative purposes, such as matron keys, jewellery items, and votive offerings. Keys such as these were in use from the first century A.D. until the early medieval period.

Dimensions W 1.9 x H 1.8 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Reference: For a similar item, The British Museum, item number 1855,0912.1