A Roman Green Chalcedony Intaglio Ring stone of Fortuna, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd century CE

Fortuna, the personification of good luck, decorates this finely engraved green chalcedony intaglio set in this early 20th-century gold ring. She is shown standing, dressed in a himation, holding her attributes of sheaths of wheat and a ship's rudder. The wheat symbolizes the goddess's power to bestow wealth and prosperity, while the rudder refers to her ability to guide the destiny of mankind. Fortuna is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Tyche and was regarded as the bearer of prosperity and abundance. As such she resembles a fertility deity, hence her association with the bounty of the soil and the fruitfulness of women. Frequently she was an oracular goddess consulted in various ways regarding the future. Fortuna was worshiped extensively in Italy from the earliest times. At Praeneste her shrine was a well-known oracular seat, as was her shrine at Antium. Condition: The ring stone is intact and in very good condition overall, set in an antique ring of 18K yellow gold. Can be