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LOT 0617
Roman Bronze Crucifixion Nail
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.
5 1/2 in. (29.5 grams, 14 cm).
Comprising a rectangular-section body and a round, discoid finial. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on UK art market.
Property of a Middlesex gentleman.
Cf. for a similar example Rémazeilles, C., Cruz Zuluaga, M., Conforto, E., Oudriss, A., Ortega, L.A., Martínez-Salcedo, A., Cepeda-Ocampo, J. J., ‘Multianalytical Study of Archaeological Iron Nails of the Roman Period (First to Third Century) in Northern Spain’ in Minerals, 2025, 15, pp.1-14, fig.2 (b).
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0617
Roman Bronze Crucifixion Nail
Estimate £30 - 40€35 - 46 (for guidance only)$41 - 54 (for guidance only)
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Roman Bronze Horse-Head Whorl Plate Brooch
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Bids: 4 | Current Bid: £20
With horse-head finials, each with a punched ring-and-dot eye detailing, a central ring-and-dot motif, a pin and catchplate on the reverse. 8.87 grams, 39 mm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
Roman Bronze Long Cross Plate Brooch
4th-5th century A.D.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Flat-section cross with slightly expanding arms, pin and catchplate on the reverse. 6.16 grams, 32 mm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
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Roman Sapphire Cameo with Bust of Serapis Later Converted to Saint John the Evangelist
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D., reworked 6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Bids: 3 | Current Bid: £700
Carved in the half-round on a sapphire crystal showing striations on the reverse, depicting the upper body of Serapis/St John with modius and pleated tunic, eagle with spread wings placed on the chest. 5.06 grams, 23 mm
Acquired circa 1980. Property of a Middlesex gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13351-255640.
This is a prime example of late antique or early medieval spolia, where a pagan motif was converted into a Christian one with minimal mental or manual adaptation into a visual fusion of Serapis and Saint John. During the Roman Empire, especially in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, depictions of the 'bust of the God Serapis standing on an eagle' were extremely popular. The eagle symbolised Jupiter-Serapis, as well as Roman power. When the Empire became Christian, this combination was immediately recognised as the Evangelist John, accompanied by his symbol, the eagle. The modius (kalathos) symbolised fertility and dominion over the underworld when placed on Serapis's head. However, it was often incorrectly (or deliberately) interpreted by Christian observers as an early form of a crown, halo, or priestly headdress. As sapphire is extremely difficult to work with, the modius was often left standing, emphasising the figure's imperial or divine dignity. There are documented cases of this kind. Most famous example: 'Gem of Serapis' (Cab. Méd., Paris), or the reinterpretation of depictions of Jupiter as God the Father. During the Christianisation process, pagan gods with beards and eagles (Jupiter/Serapis) were reclassified as John the Evangelist or Christ himself en masse.
