Key, Italy, Roman, 1–100 CE
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1–100 CE
Cleverly designed with an iron bit attached to a bronze handle, this key can be admired from all angles. While the handle terminates in the head of a ferocious boar, farther down are back-to-back heads of Mercury—his wings formed from the ears of the boar—and his goat-legged, horned son, Silvanus (also known as Pan).
Given the rustic nature of the heads, scholars have suggested that the key might once have unlocked a country villa. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1952.586: Key, 1–100 CE. Italy, Roman. Iron tang, bronze handle; overall: 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in.). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The bronze handle of this key combines three heads: of a boar, Mercury, and Silvanus.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- iron tang, bronze handle
- Dimensions
- Overall: 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Overall: 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- iron tang, bronze handle
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1–100 CE
- Culture period
- Italy, Roman
- Museum attribution
- Italy, Roman
- Museum object name
- Metalwork
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1952.586
- Published references
- Kozloff, Arielle P. "Keys of Ancient Rome." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 80, no. 9 (1993). pp. 368-75
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and date against a specialist reference.