Lot 403: A Roman Bronze Openwork Key Handle

A Roman cast bronze key handle, dating circa 1st-3rd century AD. The piece is constructed from a copper alloy and features a trilobate openwork design. Each of the three lobes is surmounted by a small globular terminal. The lower portion consists of a socketed rectangular base, intended to house an iron key shank, which is now absent. The base is decorated with horizontal moulded bands. The surface exhibits a heavy, dark-green and brown oxidised patina with some white mineral deposits.