Key Handle
Unknown Artist
1st–7th century
Medium
Copper alloy, iron
Dimensions
Overall: 3 11/16 x 7/8 in. (9.3 x 2.3 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Copper alloy
Culture
Roman
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, De Souhami Collection, Rogers Fund, 1906
Accession Number
06.176.32
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Key Handle**, crafted by an unknown Roman artisan between the 1st and 7th centuries, offers a glimpse into the everyday ingenuity of the late Roman world. Measuring just 3 11/16 x 7/8 inches (9.3 x 2.3 cm), this small yet functional object was likely part of a larger key used to secure homes, chests, or sacred spaces, reflecting the Romans' advanced emphasis on personal security amid expanding trade and urban life. Forged from durable copper alloy—likely bronze—with iron reinforcements, the handle exemplifies Roman metalworking prowess. Artisans employed casting and hammering...