The large ancient keys are very rare, and the specimens preserved in museums cannot in any way compete with the one we are pleased to present to you today, which will be offered for sale at our upcoming High Epoch auction in April.

Our specimen was described by Henry-René d'Allemagne in 1902 as 'the most famous of Roman keys to have reached us'.

This exceptional object is known as the 'Key of Tarare' and for good reason – it was found in the 19th century in a vineyard not far from the town of Tarare in the Rhône region. It has been the subject of lengthy and speculative discussions... Based on its size and quality, it can be inferred that it was used to lock the door of a substantial villa.

Literature related to this remarkable object speculates that this key may have locked the door of a cella vinaria type cellar: an outbuilding of a vineyard where vessels filled with new wine were stored after the harvest. Others archaeologists believed it could have been the key to a temple...

Whatever door this museum object was meant to open, it had been lost again since the beginning of the 20th century, and its presentation for sale for the first time in its history constitutes a valuable rediscovery.

Note: The only three other keys that can be stylistically compared to ours are respectfully preserved at the Louvre Museum [BR3665], the Cleveland Museum of Art [John L. Severance Fund 1952.586], and the Getty Museum [96.AC.197]. Nevertheless, they are all much smaller and less remarkable.

GLARGE ANTIQUE KEY KNOWN AS THE "KEY OF TARARE" in iron and bronze.
The barrel has a circular, hollow socket, and the ward consists of two opposing iron wards.
The handle of the key is particularly remarkable: entirely in bronze, it depicts Silenus sitting on a wineskin, which he is holding by the neck with his right hand. His eyes are inlaid with silver, and his nipples are inlaid with copper. His left hand holds a bunch of grapes. The group is placed on a large crater with a checkered body and two handles (one missing).
Gallo-Roman period. Lyon Gaul, 2nd century AD
Total length: 25.9 cm - Handle height: 12.8 cm - Ward: 9 cm
(Oxidation, wear, and damage)

PROVENANCE
- Discovered in a vineyard on the mountain of Tarare (Rhône, France) in the 19th century.
- Part of Madame Napolier's collection in Tarare (Rhône, France).
- Exhibited at the Universal Exhibition of 1867 (No. 865).
- Passed down through inheritance to the present day.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Une clef antique" in Le Magasin Pittoresque, 1867. Reproduced on page 384.
- F. Liger, La ferronerie ancienne et moderne, Tome II, Paris 1875. Reproduced on plate 41.
- E.-O. Lami, Dictionnaire encyclopédique et biographique, Tome III, Paris 1883. Reproduced on page 516.
- H.-R. d'Allemagne, La Serrurerie ancienne à l'Exposition Universelle de 1900, Saint-Cloud, 1902. Page 18.

Prochaine vente
Haute Epoque Thursday 23 May 2024 at 2pm

Pour plus d'informations ou inclure un lot dans nos ventes, contactez :
Grégoire de Thoury
+33 1 41 92 06 46
thoury@aguttes.com