Ave!

Key, Roman, Janitors, Beyond Magnificent! c. 1st-3rd Century.

Copper alloy; 90mm/103gm or 3.5 inches/3.6 ounces! The toothed end is 27mm and the handle is 13mm. Wow!

Con/ As Cast and Fabricated, eight teeth and multiple grooves; perfect unblemished glossy green patina, cleaned but not waxed.

Seller's Note/ No hyperbole, kids. This big, bold and beautiful key is without any doubt simply astonishing and the finest we have ever presented here on NRC. 

This is certainly a janitors key. Back in the day, Romans wealthy enough to own slaves, had one who was literally chained just inside the door that led inside their house. He was the slave that not only had the key but he was also responsible to keep out undesirables. This slave was called the "janitor". Why janitor? Because Janus was the Roman god of beginnings and ends and, through metaphor, doors and passageways.