- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Bronze key with lozenge-shaped bow (top broken off), tubular stem and bit with a double row of teeth. [El.B 10/03/2009]
- Geographical reference
- England
- Cultural groups
- English
- Date / Period
- Date made: 500-1500 Archaeological period: Medieval
- Date collected
- By 1925
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 1950
- Materials and processes
- Material Bronze Metal, Process Forged (Metal)
- Dimensions
- Length: max 102 mm
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1951.13.959 Other numbers: 959
- Research and responses
Related Documents File - i) Correspondence from Catherine E. Parsons to Beatrice Blackwood (1950 - 1955) regarding Parsons' collection and arrangements scheduled for Blackwood to view the keys and to retrieve documentation. Excerpt from letter to Blackwood: 'Please remember my keys and their catalogue were made simply for my own interest years ago. I never thought of it becoming public.' RDF also includes a number of letters from Mary Mallyon, informing Blackwood of Parsons' death (1956), and organizing for her to collect: 'the keys for the museum that Miss Parsons kept back when you took the others'. ii) Four photographs of Catherine E. Parsons, including one labelled 'Miss Parsons & niece'. iii) Catalogue of the Collection of Locks and Keys made by Catherine E. Parsons [original manuscript]. [GI 5/2/2002]
Related Documents File - typed card found in the drawer, but not with a particular object: "Mediaeval bronze keys with lozenge-shaped bows are sometimes called "monastic" keys. They may be chest or coffer keys. They are characteristic of the 13th, 14th and early 15th centuries." [El.B 10/03/2009]
Further items to explore
1951.13.894Iron key, bow consisting of two circles with small projection at the top, solid stem and bit with three incisions and comb. [El.B 15/04/2009]1951.13.894
1951.13.173Key with oval bow, solid stem and bit in two parts with two teeth each. [El.B 13/03/2009]1951.13.173
1985.51.888Miniature bunch of four keys on a ring. Used as an amulet against cramp. [SM 15/04/2011]1985.51.888
1951.13.221Key with circular bow with two short horns, tubular stem and wavy S-shaped bit. [El.B 06/04/2009]1951.13.221
1932.88.82Wax candle. The candle is yellow in colour and roughly cylindrical in shape with a slight bend along the length. Extending from one end of the candle is a white plaited string wick. The candle is contained within a black cardboard display box and is part of a set of six candles. For each wax candle in this set see [1932.88.81 - 86] [SB [OPS Move] 26/4/2017]1932.88.82
1884.140.1480.5Stone implement1884.140.1480.5
1884.125.74Stone flake1884.125.74
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