Iron, intricately and skillfully made of several pieces with brazed joints. 2” height with cylindrical body housing the mechanism and integral projections anchoring and engaging the shank. Decorative panel to the back and the key hole with brass surround. See The Mastermyr Find, which illustrates the contents of a Viking tool chest recovered in Gotland Sweden. Plate 19 illustrates several very similar padlocks. A lock of this size could secure a door hasp and it is precisely suitable for securing chains and shackles for slaver traders. Vikings were very active slavers, raiding coastal Mediterranean towns and selling the captives in North Africa. As well, is it said that every Viking homestead would have had an outbuilding for one or more slaves. Professionally conserved with the shank operative.
