Great looking hand wrought iron key--large at 6 1/4 inches--mint  condition after about 175 years--slight cant to the handle. Original patina--I would l be happy to oil and treat it for the buyer if you do not like the dry original look of old iron. (It would be like seasoning a cast iron skillet--oil and bake briefly at 200 degrees)  You would end up with a bronze type finish that would last for along time...

I feel, though I cannot prove it, that this particular key of if early French lineage--perhaps a church or one of those chateaux that dot the French countryside.  My reason being the head of the key and the way it is made...almost exactly like the keys I have for  my 18th century French clocks...

Another dealer said that it could just as easily have been to a prison??? Who knows...????

Thanks very much for looking and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask them and be certain to check out all the photos as they are a part of the description as well.. You might like to check out my buyer feedback also--almost 15 years and still at 100% approval rating--for which I am truly thankful and proud.

Thanks once more....