Gold Ring Featuring a Classical Revival Bloodstone Seal Depicting Fortuna

This genuine antique seal has been mounted in a modern 18 karat gold ring.Fortuna, Roman goddess of luck or chance, known as Tyche to the Greeks, was a popular deity, especially in the Roman world. The benevolent blessings of Fortuna were eagerly sought, especially in matters involving risk taking, contests, business or war. It was not uncommon for a temple of Fortuna to be located near the central business district of a Roman town, so the goddess could preside over the transactions of daily life. The largest temple of Fortuna in the classical world was located at Palestrina, south of Rome, the ruins of which still awe visitors today. Fortuna appears frequently on Roman coins minted to pay the army, for she was thought to bring victory in battle. The coins of many Greek cities were minted wearing the image of Tyche/Fortuna, meant to promote successful commerce. Tyche was also seen as the personification of a city’s spirit, its presiding genius. Fortuna is usually depicted as a beautiful woman, dressed in flowing robes, and carrying a cornucopia (a horn of plenty) as a symbol of wealth and abundance. Wren she represents a city, she wears a crown of turrets and walls she appears also holding a wheel, a metaphor for life’s ever-changing circumstances. Small devotional statues of Fortuna and talismanic jewelry bearing her image were popular throughout the vast Roman Empire. Her cult survives in the modern world in the person of “lady luck” frequently invoked by gamblers. This splendid intaglio featuring the image of Fortuna, set in a regal gold ring, will most certainly grace the hand of the wearer, bringing along with it the good fortunes of the ancient revered deity.