Lot 0019

Similar Sale History

Sold

Ancient Roman Iron Key, Bronze Latch + Stylus Pen: Roman, Republic to Imperial Period, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A collection of 3 leaded-bronze, bronze, and iron tools. The slender pin shaped item is a stylus nib for scratching text into wax, paint, or

2023Ancient Roman Iron Key, Bronze Latch + Stylus PenSee Sold Price

Sold

Group of ancient Roman Iron keys Lock: Group of ancient Roman Iron keys ,ca. 1st to 3rd century ,iron ring with an extended table terminating in a rectangular key-shaped end. Such rings were worn so that the key to important locked items w

2023Group of ancient Roman Iron keys LockSee Sold Price

Sold

Ancient Roman Bronze Key Ring c.2nd century AD.: Ancient Roman Bronze Key Ring c.2nd century AD. Ring Size 4.5 Fine cast bronze key ring, choice patina. Provenance: Collection of David Van Vleck, Jr of Brooklyn NY acquired 1990s

2024Ancient Roman Bronze Key Ring c.2nd century AD.See Sold Price

Sold

Roman Bronze Key 1st, 3rd Century AD: A massive bronze key-ring , green patina intact; length 43 mm , 23 gr. From the collection of EU gentleman living in UK.

2024Roman Bronze Key 1st, 3rd Century ADSee Sold Price

Sold

Roman Bronze Key 1st, 3rd Century AD: A massive key ring , green patina intact Measurements: length 33.60 mm , 26.80 gr.Fine condition. From the collection of UK gentlemen, acquired on the German art market around 2000s.

2024Roman Bronze Key 1st, 3rd Century ADSee Sold Price

Sold

Roman Bronze Latch Key 1st,3rd Century AD: A bronze key with brown patina; 54 mm, 24 grams. From the collection of EU gentleman living in UK. Acquired on the German art market in 2000s.

2024Roman Bronze Latch Key 1st,3rd Century ADSee Sold Price

Sold

Roman Bronze Latch Key 1st,3rd Century AD: A bronze key with brown patina; 47 mm, 22.03 grams. From the collection of EU gentleman living in UK. Acquired on the German art market in 2000s.

2024Roman Bronze Latch Key 1st,3rd Century ADSee Sold Price

Sold

ANCIENT ROMAN IRON GLADIUS SWORD: Ca. 100-200 AD. An iron gladius blade with waisted edges, a triangular tip, and a long tang. The gladius was a key part of Roman military equipment and was used by the empireâ€™s legionaries in c

2023ANCIENT ROMAN IRON GLADIUS SWORDSee Sold Price

Sold

***Auction Highlight*** ULTRA RARE!! Mark Antony 32-31 BC Ancient Rome Silver Legionary Denarii: ***Auction Highlight*** ULTRA RARE!! Mark Antony 32-31 BC Ancient Rome Silver Legionary Denarii Ancient Grades XF. Marc Antony was a pivotal figure in the annals of Roman history, not only as a storie

2023***Auction Highlight*** ULTRA RARE!! Mark Antony 32-31 BC Ancient Rome Silver Legionary DenariiSee Sold Price

Sold

RARE!! 161-180 AD Ancient Rome Marcus Aurelius Silver Denarius Ancient Grades vf: RARE!! 161-180 AD Ancient Rome Marcus Aurelius Silver Denarius Ancient Grades vf. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a Stoic philosopher. He was a member of the Nerva��

2023RARE!! 161-180 AD Ancient Rome Marcus Aurelius Silver Denarius Ancient Grades vfSee Sold Price

Sold

177-192 AD Ancient Rome Commodus Silver Denarius Ancient Grades vf: 177-192 AD Ancient Rome Commodus Silver Denarius Ancient Grades vf. Commodus was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. He served jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until the latter'

2023177-192 AD Ancient Rome Commodus Silver Denarius Ancient Grades vfSee Sold Price

Sold

193-211 AD Ancient Rome Julia Domna Silver Ancient RIC-551 Grades VF: 193-211 AD Ancient Rome Julia Domna Silver RIC-551 Ancient Grades VF. Julia Domna was Roman empress from 193 to 211 as the wife of Emperor Septimius Severus. She was the first empress of the Severan d

2023193-211 AD Ancient Rome Julia Domna Silver Ancient RIC-551 Grades VFSee Sold Price

Sold

276-282 AD Ancient Rome Probus Antoninianus Ancient S-3239 Grades VF: 276-282 AD Ancient Rome Probus Antoninianus S-3239 Ancient Grades VF. Marcus Aurelius Probus was Roman emperor from 276 to 282. Probus was an active and successful general as well as a conscientious a

2024276-282 AD Ancient Rome Probus Antoninianus Ancient S-3239 Grades VFSee Sold Price

Sold

360-363 AD Ancient Rome Julian The Apostate AE 3 Ancient Grades XF: 360-363 AD Ancient Rome Julian The Apostate AE 3 Ancient Grades XF. Julian was the Caesar of the West from 355 to 360 and Roman emperor from 361 to 363, as well as a notable philosopher and author in

2023360-363 AD Ancient Rome Julian The Apostate AE 3 Ancient Grades XFSee Sold Price

Sold

AD 283-284 Ancient Rome Numerian AE Antoninianus Ancient Grades f: AD 283-284 Ancient Rome Numerian AE Antoninianus Ancient Grades f. Numerian was Roman emperor from 283 to 284 with his older brother Carinus. They were sons of Carus, a general raised to the office of

2023AD 283-284 Ancient Rome Numerian AE Antoninianus Ancient Grades fSee Sold Price

Sold

336-323 BC Ancient Greece Alexander the Great Macedonia Silver Drachma Ancient Grades xf: 336-323 BC Ancient Greece Alexander the Great Macedonia Silver Drachma Ancient Grades xf

2023336-323 BC Ancient Greece Alexander the Great Macedonia Silver Drachma Ancient Grades xfSee Sold Price

Item Details

Description

ITEM: Key
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 23 mm x 37 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 4 to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the amount of the sale, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Bronze keys were essential tools in ancient Roman society, serving as both functional objects for securing doors and chests and symbolic items representing authority, ownership, and access. These keys were crafted from bronze, an alloy of copper and tin known for its durability and malleability, making it well-suited for the production of intricate objects like keys. Roman bronze keys varied in size and design, reflecting the diverse architectural styles and locking mechanisms of the time.

One of the most common types of Roman bronze keys was the ward key, characterized by its distinctive toothed or ridged blade designed to fit specific locks. These keys were used to secure various types of doors, chests, and storage containers, providing protection for valuable possessions and private spaces. The design of Roman bronze keys evolved over time, with later examples featuring more elaborate and decorative elements, such as ornate handles and engraved motifs, reflecting the artistic sensibilities of different periods and regions within the Roman Empire.

Beyond their practical function, Roman bronze keys held symbolic significance in Roman society. Owning a key signified authority and control over property, whether it be a household or a treasury. Keys were often associated with concepts of power, ownership, and access to both physical and metaphorical realms. In religious contexts, keys were also attributed to deities such as Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, who was depicted holding a key as a symbol of his role as the guardian of gates and passages.