Ancient Roman Key Collection
18
days
02
hours
40
minutes
16
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 250 - € 330
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Ancient Roman Key Collection, a group of four bronze keys dating to the 2nd–4th century AD, in good condition with green and brown patina.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
A collection of four ancient Roman bronze keys in different forms and sizes. Each has a circular or oval bow, a straight or slightly widening stem and an angular bit designed to engage with a corresponding lock mechanism. Several examples feature moulded collars, small terminal projections and subtle decorative details.
-> The Romans used several types of locks to secure doors, gates, chests, cabinets and small personal boxes. The shape and arrangement of a key's bit corresponded to the internal components of a particular lock, explaining the considerable variety encountered among surviving Roman keys.
Size: ± 45 - 62.6 - 63.9 - 75.7 mm
Condition
Good solid condition. Varied green and brown patina with areas of earthen encrustation and mineral deposits. The principal elements of all four keys, including their bows, stems and bits, remain preserved. Minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> The large openings in the bows allowed the keys to be handled easily or suspended from a cord, chain or belt fitting. Bronze was well suited to the production of relatively small keys because it could be cast into detailed forms and was more resistant to corrosion than iron. These practical objects provide a direct insight into Roman concepts of ownership, privacy and the protection of personal possessions.
Keys were an important tool during the Roman period, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The Romans developed sophisticated locking mechanisms and keys to secure buildings, valuables, and personal possessions.
Roman keys were typically made of metal (bronze or iron) and varied in size from small, portable keys to larger ones for heavy-duty locks. Some keys were even decorative, reflecting the owner's status.
The Romans advanced the pin-and-tumbler lock, which used pins to secure a bolt. Keys lifted the pins to open the lock, a design similar to modern locks.
The Romans significantly refined the ward lock type key, creating more durable and intricate warded locks made of metal. This type of key used wards (projections inside the lock) to block unauthorized keys while the correct key had corresponding notches to bypass these wards.
Women frequently wore "key rings," which were both functional and symbolic. A woman wearing such a ring was often seen as the keeper of the household and its possessions.
The Romans’ innovations in key and lock design influenced later medieval and modern locking systems. Their ability to craft reliable, functional locks highlighted their ingenuity and understanding of metallurgy.
Keys in Roman times were more than tools; they represented security, status, and the evolving complexity of daily life in the Empire.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
A collection of four ancient Roman bronze keys in different forms and sizes. Each has a circular or oval bow, a straight or slightly widening stem and an angular bit designed to engage with a corresponding lock mechanism. Several examples feature moulded collars, small terminal projections and subtle decorative details.
-> The Romans used several types of locks to secure doors, gates, chests, cabinets and small personal boxes. The shape and arrangement of a key's bit corresponded to the internal components of a particular lock, explaining the considerable variety encountered among surviving Roman keys.
Size: ± 45 - 62.6 - 63.9 - 75.7 mm
Condition
Good solid condition. Varied green and brown patina with areas of earthen encrustation and mineral deposits. The principal elements of all four keys, including their bows, stems and bits, remain preserved. Minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> The large openings in the bows allowed the keys to be handled easily or suspended from a cord, chain or belt fitting. Bronze was well suited to the production of relatively small keys because it could be cast into detailed forms and was more resistant to corrosion than iron. These practical objects provide a direct insight into Roman concepts of ownership, privacy and the protection of personal possessions.
Keys were an important tool during the Roman period, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The Romans developed sophisticated locking mechanisms and keys to secure buildings, valuables, and personal possessions.
Roman keys were typically made of metal (bronze or iron) and varied in size from small, portable keys to larger ones for heavy-duty locks. Some keys were even decorative, reflecting the owner's status.
The Romans advanced the pin-and-tumbler lock, which used pins to secure a bolt. Keys lifted the pins to open the lock, a design similar to modern locks.
The Romans significantly refined the ward lock type key, creating more durable and intricate warded locks made of metal. This type of key used wards (projections inside the lock) to block unauthorized keys while the correct key had corresponding notches to bypass these wards.
Women frequently wore "key rings," which were both functional and symbolic. A woman wearing such a ring was often seen as the keeper of the household and its possessions.
The Romans’ innovations in key and lock design influenced later medieval and modern locking systems. Their ability to craft reliable, functional locks highlighted their ingenuity and understanding of metallurgy.
Keys in Roman times were more than tools; they represented security, status, and the evolving complexity of daily life in the Empire.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
2nd-4th century AD
Name of object
Key Collection
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
