{"product_id":"late-roman-bronze-key-ring-with-four-tooth","title":"Late Roman Bronze Key Ring with Four-Tooth Bit | Circa 3rd – 4th Century CE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roman Empire\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cast bronze \/ copper alloy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Roman \/ Late Imperial Period, circa 3rd–4th century CE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis unusual bronze finger ring is characteristic of a class of compact Roman ring keys produced during the later Imperial period. Rather than carrying a separate key, the wearer could incorporate the functional locking element directly into a ring, creating an object that was simultaneously personal, practical, and highly distinctive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe ring carries a substantial projecting rectangular key bit positioned perpendicular to the finger band. Four deeply divided projecting teeth form the working edge, creating the stepped profile that would originally have corresponded with the internal mechanism of a small lock. Comparable Roman bronze ring keys preserved in museum collections employ short shafts and arrangements of multiple teeth designed to engage relatively small locking mechanisms. The Metropolitan Museum of Art dates several related bronze ring keys to the 3rd–4th century CE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe bronze has developed a dark green to nearly black archaeological patina with lighter green and earthy surface deposits throughout. Rounded edges, surface pitting, and wear to the projecting teeth give the piece a distinctly archaeological appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eImportantly, close inspection indicates that the ring has undergone an older repair or alteration. The projecting key component appears to have been mounted or reattached to an older bronze finger ring rather than surviving as an entirely untouched single construction. The junction between the key element and shank shows visible attachment work, including irregular metal at the shoulders and a small surviving attachment or rivet-like element. This modification appears old and has itself developed patination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e- Large projecting rectangular key bit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Four distinct stepped locking teeth\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Heavy cast bronze \/ copper-alloy construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Dark green and black archaeological patination\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Surface mineralization and age-related deposits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Older repair or remounting of the key element onto an older ring shank\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Visible historical attachment work at the junction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Open-ended ring band\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRing keys represent a particularly fascinating aspect of Roman everyday life. They combined personal adornment with a practical means of controlling access to locked possessions. Small locks were used on boxes, caskets, containers, cabinets, and other personal storage objects, making compact keys useful items for individuals responsible for valuables or household goods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMuseum examples demonstrate that bronze ring keys with multiple working teeth were produced during the later Roman period, particularly during the 3rd and 4th centuries CE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAncient condition with substantial age-related wear, patination, oxidation, surface pitting, mineral deposits, and softened edges throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular importance, the projecting key element appears to have undergone an older repair and to have been mounted or reattached onto an older bronze ring shank. The junction between the key component and ring shows clearly visible historic attachment work, including irregularities in the metal and a small attachment or rivet-like element. The repair itself displays age and patination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe ring band is open at the rear and exhibits irregularity and wear along its terminals. The projecting locking teeth remain substantially intact but show rounding and surface loss consistent with considerable age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRing Size: US 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e1,600–1,800 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly in a private California collection, acquired in Germany approximately 25 years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently handled by Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York. Established in New York in 1995, Palmyra Heritage specializes in ancient coins and antiquities, including material from the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Egyptian, Pre-Columbian, and Islamic worlds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover a related Roman bronze ring key dating to the 3rd–4th century CE in the collection of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/246764\" title=\"Roman Bronze Ring Key, 3rd–4th Century CE – The Metropolitan Museum of Art\"\u003eThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/roman-greek-artifacts-ancient-relics\" title=\"Roman and Greek Artifacts – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Roman and Greek Artifacts\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55932045361474,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_-_2026-08-25T075229.544.png?v=1787739554","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/late-roman-bronze-key-ring-with-four-tooth","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}