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The finest objects brought to you by {name}

Peter Reynaers

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 quality Roman bronze key ring featuring a round loop and a notched protruding key. The ring has a rectangular bezel which is decorated with a double lined triangle. The key portion extends above the loop and features a unique geometric design which would have been used to unlock a type of box such as a trinket box.

Such rings served a dual function, worn both as personal adornment and as a practical key for securing small boxes or caskets.

Outside diameter: ± 22,3 mm
Inside diameter: ± 16,9 - 17,2 mm

Condition: good and solid condition. Beautiful smooth dark olive-green patina with areas of cuprite. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.

Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).


ROMAN KEY 
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.

Archaeology

Ancient Roman Key Ring

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Cretaceous, Lower (145 - 100.5 million years)

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CITES Appendix II - Annex B in the EU

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Ancient Roman Key Ring

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