Cone-headed bronze nail with four-sided shaft, blunt point

[Joe Sermarini]

Need help with this cone-headed bronze nail with four-sided shaft, blunt point, 15.140g, 40.4mm long, head diameter 15.9mm.

Clearly most Roman nails were iron with square shafts and a wide variety of head shapes and nail sizes.

I have found very little about ancient bronze nails. I found a description of an ancient shipwreck that mentioned bronze nails. I have seen commercial (eBay) sellers describing ancient bronze nails as Roman naval nails.  I have not found any references, excavation reports, museum collections, etc. for ancient bronze nails.

Anyone have some wisdom, refs., websites, anything, to share? Thanks. 

[Joe Sermarini]

Found a bronze nail in the Boston MFA

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/131008

[SC]

I don't think it is nail in the sense of something meant to be driven in with a hammer, like the iron Roman nails were.

I think it is more of a form of stud.  Perhaps serving a bit of both functions.  Some studs have short shanks and others longer like here.  But not with true pointed ends like a nail.

SC

[Joe Sermarini]

What would it have been used for?  Furniture?  Any idea of date?

[SC]

Furniture, chest, door?

Roman Imperial, so 1st-4th century.

SC

[Joe Sermarini]

Thanks Shawn.

[*Alex]

Maybe from something like this for example, though as SC says it could be used on a variety of other items.

This is a lockable strongbox or arca for storing money and other valuables. Often placed in the atrium, the public area of the house, as a display of wealth and power. This one is decorated with a worshipper offering a sacrifice at an altar to the cult statue of a god.

From Pompeii. 1st century CE. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli