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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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Roman Bronze Intaglio with Bull's Head and Birds
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Discoid type with incuse design of a bull's head with a bird perched on each horn, ewer between; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.82 grams, 13 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Late Roman Bronze Decorated Tweezer Collection
4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising five pairs, each of a different type, including one hinged tweezer-type tool with remains of a ferrous insert. 28.58 grams total, 47-75 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Terracotta Bullae, Tesserae or Token Group
3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 30 grams total, 14-22 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' refers to a four-sided shape. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term ‘token’ is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.
