Maryland Archeology Month

-April 2009-

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St. Mary's City:
375 years old, thousands of years young

Explore!

Archeology Gallery

Copper alloy lock escutcheon

This object is known as a lock escutcheon. It was used on furniture to protect the area around a keyhole on a chest or other similar piece. In the 17th century, valuables were secured in chests and other lockable furniture pieces. Often, considerable wealth was tied up in furniture and other objects made of organic material which does not preserve in the archaeological record.