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LOT 0855
Romano-Scottish Legion XX Valeria Victrix 'Inchtuthil Fort' Boxed Educational Roman Iron Nail Hoard Display
CIRCA 83-87 A.D.
5 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. (185 grams, 13.3 x 8.3 mm).
Group of three iron clout-nails mounted in a terracotta display with information panel 'ROMAN LEGION NAILS / circa 2000 years old'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom excavations started by Richmond in Perthshire, Scotland, from the 1950s, and discovered in the summer of 1960.
Selected and displayed by David Colville & Sons by 1963.
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000.
Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Mapelli, C., Nicodemi, W., Riva, R.F., Vedani, M., Gariboldi, E., ‘Nails of the Roman legionary at Inchtuthil’ in La Metallurgia Italiana, January 2009, pp.51-58; fog nails used for crucifixion Connolly, P., Living in the time of Jesus of Nazareth, Oxford, 1983, pp.50-51.
FootnotesThe fortress at Inchtuthil was a fortified headquarters and forward supply depot for the forces led by the Roman governor, Gnaeus Julius Agricola, when he undertook a lengthy campaign against the Caledonian tribes in the north of Britain. The campaign is mentioned in the biographical work written by his son-in-law, the historian Tacitus, which has been studied in order to understand the Roman plan for the subjugation of the island. The troops chosen for the campaign were drawn from the 20th Legion (Legio XX Valeria Victrix). While the construction of Inchtuthil and other strongholds took place, the troops lived in temporary encampments, which were also fortified and formed a chain of defensive sites from which domination of the surrounding territory could be achieved. Subsequently, once the site was abandoned late in the 1st century A.D. (around 86 A.D.), no further building took place there or in the area. Excavation in the 20th century by Sir Ian Richmond (begun in 1952) revealed a pristine site with its complete plan recoverable, unique in the Roman Empire. The defences were a broad ditch and turf wall with stone facing, with watchtowers and gatehouses. The site was thought to have been abandoned due to the relocation of troops to counter an invasion from Eastern Europe into the province of Dacia, although this is no longer certain. A huge quantity of iron nails (more than 875,000) was recovered from a pit in the fort as well as other ironware; the goods had been buried in order not to let them fall into the hands of the Caledonians. The excavated nails and other items were sorted and sold in small parcels, which was completed by 1963. The nails range in size from small nails between thirty-eight and seventy millimetres long, up to the massive spikes three hundred and seventy-two millimetres long. These kinds of long nails were also used for crucifixions.
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LOT 0855
Romano-Scottish Legion XX Valeria Victrix 'Inchtuthil Fort' Boxed Educational Roman Iron Nail Hoard Display
Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
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Roman Bronze Horse Plate Brooch
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £140
Modelled as a prancing horse with its foreleg raised, mane and tail indicated by diagonal striations; pin and catchplate on the reverse. 15.2 grams, 34 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Gemstone and Glass Intaglio Collection
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Comprising: two with standing figures; profile bust; trefoil; fish; Fortuna; each supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.23 grams total, 7.48-15.98 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Large Roman Bronze Chariot or Lectica Mount of Cupid
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £25,000 - 35,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £12,500
Modelled in the round hollow-formed figure of Cupid standing nude emerging from a flower, with dressed curly hair bound into a forelock, small dorsal wings on the shoulders, a recurved bow in his left hand and an arrow supported on his right forearm; looped handles to the rear and stepped base below. 1.79 kg, 19.9 cm
From the collection of J-Ph, Mariaud de Serres, Paris, France, 1990s. Piasa Auctions, 17-18 March 2003, no.584. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13215-249253. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.237039.
These prismatic fittings covered the ends of the wooden beams, reinforcing the floor of the undercarriage on both long sides. The heavy and ornate nature of these accessories suggests they were originally attached to a more substantial vehicle such as a pilentum (used to transport aristocrats on state occasions), a carruca (for transporting emperors and aristocratic matrons) or even a thensa (a ceremonial chariot used to transport deities to the imperial games) or a lectica (portable bed for patricii and matronae). Contemporary sources describe ornate inlay, rare woods and metalwork incorporated into these vehicles, and, probably, the present fitting would originally have been gilded.
