Context (Analysis)
Catalogue card for 1923.1169 in Cyril Fox's hand notes: 'Medieval or later'
Event Date
Author: David Kay

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card for 1923.1169: 'Four keys of iron'
Event Date
Author: David Kay

Description (Physical description)
Accession register entry for 1923.1169 a-d: 'Four iron keys'
Event Date 1923
Author: David Kay

Context (References)
cf: Museum of London (1940) 'Medieval Catalogue' London: London Museum Catalogues
Event Date 1940
Author: David Kay

Description (Physical description)
Key with circular bow, cylindrical pipe shank, and single bit with three key wards cut into the front edge and one small key ward on the bottom edge. The shank and bit are formed from a single rolled sheet of iron. The bow has been formed from a further strip of iron, which has then been inserted and welded into the cavity at the other end of the shank.
Event Date 5/12/2018
Author: David Kay

Context (Analysis)
Cf. London Museum Medieval Catalogue, especially Plate XXX no. 21-23 (though these keys have differently cut bits) - three Type II keys from Westminster, Tower Hill and Crosby Hall, London, respectively. Type II keys are distinguished by their rolled sheet metal construction, and reported to date from the late 11th to 13th centuries, though also possibly later. As such, and given the lack of any more secure identification for this particular key, the Period field has simply been filled as 'Medieval'.
Event Date 5/12/2018
Author: David Kay

Context (Found together / assemblage)
Found in bag of twenty objects (nineteen keys and one staff head) (1921.266.1, 1921.266.4, 1921.266.8, 1921.1081-1082, 1921.1085, 1921.1606, 1922.780 A-B, 1923.213.10, 1923.276.20, 1923.1137, 1923.1169 A.1-D, 1923.1203, 1924.654 A and 1948.1705-1706) with handwritten card reading: "NO PROV.", and on the reverse in a different hand: "Spur, Anglo-Saxon, 24"
Event Date 22/1/2019
Author: David Kay