Medieval Bronze Casket Keys

Medieval Period, c. 1200–1400 AD, England

A beautiful set of two small Medieval bronze-alloy casket keys, dating to the High and Late Medieval periods. Each key features a circular bow and a cylindrical hollow stem terminating in a flat bit projecting at a right angle from the underside of the shaft. The bits are pierced with sub-square clefts, designed to engage the internal wards of a lock.

Keys of this type were commonly used for securing small caskets, chests, coffers, cupboards, and personal boxes used to store valuables, documents, jewelry, and other treasured possessions. During the medieval period, locks and keys were not merely practical objects but also symbols of ownership, trust, and authority within both domestic and ecclesiastical settings.

The hollow stem construction is characteristic of medieval rotary-lock mechanisms, in which the key passed over a fixed pin within the lock before turning to withdraw the bolt. Such locks represented an important advancement in security technology and remained in widespread use throughout Europe for centuries.

Elegantly simple and functional in design, these keys provide a tangible link to everyday life in medieval England, reflecting both the craftsmanship of the period and the enduring human desire to safeguard valuable possessions.

Good condition. Light surface wear consistent with age and use. Fine encrusted green patina. Corrosion and minimal dents. Size approx. 3,2cm x 1,0cm x 0,6cm & 3,8cm x 1,1cm x 0,4cm. Sell as a set.

Provenance: British private collection