ITEM: Key
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 23 mm x 37 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Bronze keys were essential tools in ancient Roman society, serving as both functional objects for securing doors and chests and symbolic items representing authority, ownership, and access. These keys were crafted from bronze, an alloy of copper and tin known for its durability and malleability, making it well-suited for the production of intricate objects like keys. Roman bronze keys varied in size and design, reflecting the diverse architectural styles and locking mechanisms of the time.

One of the most common types of Roman bronze keys was the ward key, characterized by its distinctive toothed or ridged blade designed to fit specific locks. These keys were used to secure various types of doors, chests, and storage containers, providing protection for valuable possessions and private spaces. The design of Roman bronze keys evolved over time, with later examples featuring more elaborate and decorative elements, such as ornate handles and engraved motifs, reflecting the artistic sensibilities of different periods and regions within the Roman Empire.

Beyond their practical function, Roman bronze keys held symbolic significance in Roman society. Owning a key signified authority and control over property, whether it be a household or a treasury. Keys were often associated with concepts of power, ownership, and access to both physical and metaphorical realms. In religious contexts, keys were also attributed to deities such as Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, who was depicted holding a key as a symbol of his role as the guardian of gates and passages.