Keys were of great social significance to Vikings.
As part of a marriage ceremony a man would present his wife with his keys to signify that she
was responsible for his estate,
and she would wear them on her belt or apron brooches to show that she was a woman of substance.
Since they were to be displayed, they were often decorated like pieces of jewellery.
This cast bronze key is made for a type of lock (seen on the Mastermyr chest)
with a keyhole shaped like an inverted L.
The key was inserted in the vertical slit, raised to engage holes in the bolt and release locking
pins, and slid sideways to move the bolt.
It is decorated with the motif known as the "gripping beast".
9cm.
|
|