Ancient Roman Fortuna Ring
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A superb ancient Roman jasper intaglio depicting Fortuna, the Roman goddess of luck and fortune. The carved gemstone is deep-red in colour and dates from the late 2nd to 3rd century AD and is an example of a Romano-British intaglio. Fortuna is depicted sitting down wearing the Atef-crown, holding a cornucopia in her left hand and a ship's rudder in her right hand.
In Roman times, people would wear rings with intaglios of the goddess Fortuna in hope that the she would protect them and bless them with good fortune in their lives. Various similar examples of Fortuna intaglios reside in notable collections and museums. A hoard of very similar Romano-British carnelian intaglios was found in Snettisham Village and is known as the ‘Snettisham Roman jeweller's hoard’, it can be found in the British Museum. More recently, 34 similar intaglios were unearthed in the excavation of a high-status ancient Roman bath house near Hadrian’s Wall in Cumbria. The intaglios were found together in the drain of the bath house, after falling out of their ring mounts. This would have been due to the fact that the hot, steamy and wet environment would have caused the metal to expand and the vegetable glue used in the setting to melt, which led to the gems falling out of their settings and being washed down into the drain. Of the 34 intaglios, five depict Fortuna. In 1979, in South Wales, another 88 ancient Roman intaglios were excavated from the drain basin of the Caerleon Fortress Baths - you can see the collection online at the National Museum of Wales website or in person at the Caerleon Roman baths site. There is one in particular (item 81.79H/4.55) which shares a striking resemblance to the one we are offering. See final photos for all of these references.
The carved jasper stone is rubover set in a small, hollow mount crafted in high-karat gold. The mount is probably later (late 18th to early 19th century) but made in keeping with the ancient Roman style with its hollow round hoop and tapering shape. The ring has a fantastic smooth silk-like texture when worn.
UK size F 1/2, US size 3 (very small!)
The ring weighs 6.3 grams and the intaglio measures 8mm x 9mm. The gold ring is unmarked but tests as high karat gold (21K).
A truly remarkable survivor, this ring would be an excellent addition to any collection or for anyone looking to wear a tangible piece of history!
A superb ancient Roman jasper intaglio depicting Fortuna, the Roman goddess of luck and fortune. The carved gemstone is deep-red in colour and dates from the late 2nd to 3rd century AD and is an example of a Romano-British intaglio. Fortuna is depicted sitting down wearing the Atef-crown, holding a cornucopia in her left hand and a ship's rudder in her right hand.
In Roman times, people would wear rings with intaglios of the goddess Fortuna in hope that the she would protect them and bless them with good fortune in their lives. Various similar examples of Fortuna intaglios reside in notable collections and museums. A hoard of very similar Romano-British carnelian intaglios was found in Snettisham Village and is known as the ‘Snettisham Roman jeweller's hoard’, it can be found in the British Museum. More recently, 34 similar intaglios were unearthed in the excavation of a high-status ancient Roman bath house near Hadrian’s Wall in Cumbria. The intaglios were found together in the drain of the bath house, after falling out of their ring mounts. This would have been due to the fact that the hot, steamy and wet environment would have caused the metal to expand and the vegetable glue used in the setting to melt, which led to the gems falling out of their settings and being washed down into the drain. Of the 34 intaglios, five depict Fortuna. In 1979, in South Wales, another 88 ancient Roman intaglios were excavated from the drain basin of the Caerleon Fortress Baths - you can see the collection online at the National Museum of Wales website or in person at the Caerleon Roman baths site. There is one in particular (item 81.79H/4.55) which shares a striking resemblance to the one we are offering. See final photos for all of these references.
The carved jasper stone is rubover set in a small, hollow mount crafted in high-karat gold. The mount is probably later (late 18th to early 19th century) but made in keeping with the ancient Roman style with its hollow round hoop and tapering shape. The ring has a fantastic smooth silk-like texture when worn.
UK size F 1/2, US size 3 (very small!)
The ring weighs 6.3 grams and the intaglio measures 8mm x 9mm. The gold ring is unmarked but tests as high karat gold (21K).
A truly remarkable survivor, this ring would be an excellent addition to any collection or for anyone looking to wear a tangible piece of history!
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