ticketsMember | Make a donation

Double Key

15th–16th century
Not on view
The decoration of Gothic iron locks and keys was often elaborate and of the highest standard of workmanship. The motifs were frequently drawn from Gothic architecture, reproducing on a miniature scale complicated tracery patterns and even tiny statuettes. A number of these tiny locks were compound, with some of the mechanisms concealed from view, and required two or even three keys used in sequence to open them. It has been suggested that the greatly expanded use of locks on doors, or coffrets and other types of storage chests was a result of the increasing urbanization of life and the new emphasis on material wealth and private ownership which developed in the late Middle Ages.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Double Key
  • Date: 15th–16th century
  • Culture: European
  • Medium: Iron
  • Dimensions: Overall (closed): 1 3/16 x 3 3/8 x 13/16 in. (3 x 8.5 x 2.1 cm)
    Overall (fully extended): 5 1/4 x 1 3/16 x 13/16 in. (13.3 x 3 x 2.1 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Iron
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.61.44

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Aquamanile in the Form of a Lion, Copper alloy, German
Aquamanile in the Form of a Lion
German
ca. 1400
Saint Servatius Crushing a Dragon, with Saint Michael Weighing Souls below (from a series with The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints), Pot-metal glass, white glass, vitreous paint, silver stain, German
Saint Servatius Crushing a Dragon, with Saint Michael Weighing Souls below (from a series with The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints)
German
1440–46
Sorgheloos ("Carefree") in Poverty, Colorless glass, vitreous paint and silver stain, Netherlandish
Sorgheloos ("Carefree") in Poverty
Netherlandish
1510–20
Ewer with Wild Man Finial, Silver gilt, enamel, and paint, German
Ewer with Wild Man Finial
German
ca. 1500
The Mater Dolorosa, Lautenbach Master German, Pot-metal glass and colorless glass, silver stain, and vitreous paint, South German
The Mater Dolorosa
Lautenbach Master
Circle of Peter Hemmel von Andlau (Strassburger Werkstattgemeinschaft)
ca. 1480

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.