I guess this is cheating as I didn't find it, but bought it from the owner. However I think its worth sharing this stunning item. Museum report said:
THORPE-ST-ANDREW (Precise provenance unrecorded)
Per T. Taylor, M/D 1990s.
RB Cast copper alloy key handle in the form of a monkey squatting on all fours. The monkey (18mm high at the shoulder) is of only slightly stylised appearance with a pronounced ridge above the eyes and the mouth represented by a groove cut across the end of the nose. A stippling of tiny impressed triangles running down the sides of it head, its back, flanks and legs suggests fur. It squats upon a small pedestal that forms a crosspiece at the top of the shank (18x6x6mm). The body of the shank, of slightly rounded rectangular cross-section (6x4mm) tapers slightly for 12-13mm where it is interrupted by a broad, raised ridge of roughly circular cross-section. This ridge is surrounded above and below by a lighter ridges; the whole takes up some 6-7mm of the shank. The shank then broadens sharply, interrupted by another raised ridge, this time of rectangular cross-section. The length of this second section of the shank is 19mm.
The attachment socket (10x8mm) is slightly cracked and appears to have lost its key in antiquity. There is no evidence of staining or corrosion products. 32.40g.
Total length approx. 70mm, maximum width approx. 22mm, maximum thickness approx. 8mm. PHOTO, SLIDE.
Well, I'll be a Monkeys Uncle,,, if ya want to keep it in the family...
Very neat looking item. Any ideas on what it was used for?, and who might have used it?
The only ones for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the sky.
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