Keys from the Time of Nero to Queen Victoria

The key was a symbol of man's status, his authority. Many centuries ago in Egypt, the importance of the "head of the household" was determined by the number of keys he owned; they were large and were carried by slaves on their shoulders. Should he have several slaves, or key bearers, he was considered to be a man of great wealth and distinction. So, through the ages, the lock and its key have become an intricate part of our culture. Locking up personal property, the key symbolizes our desire for privacy and security for our possessions. This emblem of keys from the early Roman period to the 19th century may include a master key or two, but there are no duplicates.