Mould

Clay mould for making copper alloy keys. The mould has two key impressions in it: one on the left with a ring handle and a solid stem, and one on the right with a solid handle and stem. Part of the left-hand key impression is missing but it probably joined up with a rectangular impression along the bottom edge of the mould, which was for the bit of the key (the part that went into the lock). From the size of the key impressions, the finished keys probably unlocked boxes. The key impressions are very shallow so this is the top half of the mould, with the bottom half (missing) having much deeper impressions. Key-making moulds are rare from this period. The lack of nearby evidence for copper alloy working suggests that this mould was not used at a large-scale industrial workshop but may have just been used by a travelling bronze smith.
The mould was found on the site of the Saxon town of Lundenwic, on an excavation on the east side of Bedfordbury, at the junction with Chandos Place, near the Strand and Trafalgar Square. Archaeologists found evidence of animal pens, fences, wells, rubbish pits, cess pits, wattle-and-daub structures and the burial of a man. There was also evidence of ironworking and textile production being undertaken nearby and deposits of animal bone and domestic debris.