Key — The 'Strozzi' key, France, 1550-1650
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1550-1650
Key in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number M.137-1921), made in France, dated 1550-1650. The museum's brief description reads: Steel, chiselled, decorated with an elaborate bow consisting of winged female monsters, back to back.
France, 1550-60.. Museum description: The bow or handle of the key is formed by two winged female monsters back to back supporting an entablature. It is joined to the pipe by a composite capital. The bit is flanged and finely cut, like a comb. The museum records it as Steel, pierced and chiselled, measuring Length 115 mm; Width 55 mm; Width 5.1 cm; Depth 1.5 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- 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
Finely worked locks and keys were objects of high status, owned by the Renaissance elite.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- steel
- Dimensions
- Length 115 mm; Width 55 mm; Width 5.1 cm; Depth 1.5 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Steel, pierced and chiselled
- Place recorded
- France
Identification
- Museum object name
- Key
- Museum object number
- M.137-1921
- Museum system number
- O138477
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 catalogue references against a specialist reference.