Keys and Locking Devices for Slave Shackles. Collection of 40 hand-wrought pieces of widely-varying shapes and designs, probably (and ironically) made by slave blacksmiths, as was common at Old South plantations. All show some rust, but are in very

Keys and Locking Devices for Slave Shackles. Collection of 40 hand-wrought pieces of widely-varying shapes and designs, probably (and ironically) made by slave blacksmiths, as was common at Old South plantations. All show some rust, but are in very good condition. SHOULD BE SEEN. North Carolina, circa late 18th-early 19th century E1 500/2,500 Sizes vary, from a delicate 1.5 -inch key to large 4- and 5 inch keys; locks are tubu-lar and other styles. Iron work, like much of the woodwork on plantations, was done by African crafts-men who made iron pieces relating to Ogun, their god. Slave owners recognized the talent and put these men to work as blacksmiths, forging shackles for their own people..