Featured Amazing key

I found this key at a local antique market, and fell in love with it. The seller said he thought it was 16th century and the figure is the devil, but I have no idea. It's a skeleton key, and seems to be made of iron. Any information would be helpful. I love the faces on the sides of the key bow.

 

Nice mystery
Could you edit your post, more options, and click the box post all as full images?
Better for us all to see

 

maybe , the devil is in the details...

 

I agree.....not 500 years old.....just what the dealer said. It seems to be hand forged.

 

I think the images are bigger now....thanks!

 

I seem to be able to make out a parting line on it - so more likely an iron casting.

 

Looks like iron casting to me too, rather primitively formed, could have been made anytime really but some artists were working similarly in the 1970s. This could also be imported from Mexico.

 

looks Victorian to me

 

Hi,
I have to look around, I think I have a "church key" (bottle opener) with the same handle.
greg

 

Does a magnet stick to both ends? Some photos in natural light would be helpful. Looks like a chamberlain’s key, in spirit anyway.

 

Davey, what you call a skeleton key is a master key on this side of the pond. This would be call ed a skeleton key here.

I would think the OP's is most likely mid twentieth century and served no lock.

 

Hi,
Where id Bev? Her husband is a locksmith. What we call skeleton keys are really called case keys. I have hundreds of the ones we call skeleton keys but are really something else.
greg

 

True 16th century keys for comparison.

Debora

 

Yep, here in the USA we commonly call keys like this skeleton keys even though they technically are not.
I know nothing about keys but my first impression was "decorative reproduction" (of a key that likely never existed). The "wear" looks too contrived and the bit is rather stereotypically simplistic. Hopefully, y'all prove me wrong.

 

@bluumz but I think you are right!