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. Large Roman bronze key decorated with linear decorations and suspension loop in the shape of a crescent moon (Lunula). The shank is flat and slightly tapering, terminating in a right-angled bit with stepped wards designed to engage a warded lock mechanism. Length: ± 85,1 mm Condition: good solid condition. The surface bears an even smooth olive-greeen patine with minor surface wear and encrustation 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.