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LOT 1898

Sold for (Inc. bp): £39

TUDOR BRONZE WINDER KEY
16TH CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
1 in. (3.72 grams, 24 mm).

With tubular shank and flared lateral arms, ellipsoid panel above. [No Reserve]

PROVENANCE:
Found near Skirpenbeck, Yorkshire, UK, in 1997.
From an old Yorkshire, UK, collection.

Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.FAKL-404206.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

FOOTNOTES:
The item is described by the PAS report as 'probably a watch winding key' although these are very rare until the late 17th century since mechanical timepieces were not portable until then. An alternative use for the item would be for the tuning of a musical instrument: hollow keys for this purpose have been in use since at least the 7th century.

CONDITION
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