Roman Solid Gold Ring with Dotted Bezel

The oval intaglio depicting the goddess standing, facing right, dressed in peplos, holding a steering-oar and cornucopia. 1.33 grams, 16 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.

Fortuna was the Roman equivalent of the Greek Tyche, and was the goddess of fate, chance and luck. The cornucopia symbolises the abundance of good luck that people hoped for in worshipping her and the rudder symbolises her steering the destiny of people. In the city of Rome, she had a temple in the Forum Boarium. The goddess had many aspects such as Fortuna Augusta, the luck of the emperor and the Imperial family, Fortuna Publica, the luck of the people, and Fortuna Obsequens, indulgent fortune, amongst many others.

The intaglio with a donkey (mule?) grazing, body facing right; Latin inscription on the verso ‘EVM’ (him). 0.98 grams, 12 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.

Donkeys were used by the Roman army from circa 200 B.C. but mules, the hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, were to become the most important working animals for the military and were used to pull heavy artillery such as catapults. It has been estimated that there were probably half a million mules serving in the Roman army by the time of Augustus (31 B.C.-A.D. 14). DNA studies have now shown that mules may have comprised up to 50% of the equids in the Roman Empire. The use of pack-mules for the army continued in the Eastern Roman army until the fall of Constantinople.

Modelled in the round with feather detailing. 9.96 grams, 32 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.