Old Key #1

A couple months ago, I went on Wikimedia Commons and started searching for various sorts of old objects with photos in the public domain, looking for inspiration. I found a bunch of photos of old keys from the Met collection, got excited about how much more varied old keys are than the typical clip-art depiction, and decided I should use the photos to model out a couple rough approximations of the real thing.

This is Key #1! From the Met online catalog:

• Date: 15th Century
• Culture: German or South Netherlandish
• Medium: Copper alloy
• Dimensions: Overall: 4 13/16 x 1 3/4 x 1/4 in. (12.2 x 4.4 x 0.7 cm)
• Classification: Metalwork-Iron
• Accession Number: 10.100.152

The model is sized based roughly on the measurements given in the museum catalog for the original key. The actual size varies slightly between versions of the model.

This is not a scan! I used the photo to approximate the shape. (I also have no idea what the other side looks like! There's an old photo of it but it's extremely poor.)

There are three versions. The main version is optimized for FDM printing and prints without supports. I've also included a version that is un-optimized but symmetrical rather than designed to print up from a bed; this might be more useful for resin printing or other applications. And I split that second version in half to print in two parts that can be glued together, which you might prefer if you're planning on doing post-processing and painting the key.

How to print:

This one should be pretty straightforward. No supports for the optimized version. Tested to print well at both 100% and 50% scale.

Since this is a translation of a historical object designed by some past human who definitely wasn't me, and because the Met has licensed the photo as such, this model is licensed as Public Domain. Credit for my effort is appreciated but not required; giving historical context for the key is even more appreciated, and IMO more fun.