TAP KEY 69052

Description: Copper alloy bifurcating tap key. The key is broken off at the base, where the shaft is oval in section. The shaft continues for c. 5mm before dividing into the two arms of the key. These arms are slightly arched, and taper to flat, circular terminals. There is a ridge along the top and down the centre on each side of the arms. These taps, with bifurcating keys, form an intermediate stage between the medieval taps with cockerel, fleur-de-lis or openwork trefoil shaped keys, and the flat-topped T-shaped keys of the 18th century.

Date: 1601 - 1700

Object type: TAP KEY

Last import: August 15, 2017