This finely crafted cast iron paperweight is a scaled reproduction of the Key to the Bastille, one of Mount Vernon’s most treasured artifacts. In 1790, the Marquis de Lafayette sent the original key to George Washington as a tribute to liberty and their shared revolutionary ideals. It has remained on display at Mount Vernon for over 200 years.

The original key, displayed in its wood and glass case in the Mansion’s central passage, was accompanied by a heartfelt letter from Lafayette:
"Give me leave, my dear General, to present you with the main key to the fortress of despotism. It is a tribute which I owe as a son to my adoptive father, as an aide de camp to my General, as a missionary of liberty to its patriarch."
Thomas Paine personally delivered the key to General Washington.

This reproduction is perfect for display on your desk, as a collectible, or as a functional paperweight, bringing a piece of revolutionary history into your home.

Details:

Material: Cast iron
Finish: Dark antique patina
Size: Approximately 7" long
Weight: 1 lb.
Made in: USA
Use: Decorative, collectible, or paperweight

View the original Key to the Bastille remaining in our museum

Bastille Key Collection

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Bastille Key Paperweight