Ca. 100-300 AD. A stunning silver ring of a round, flat-section hoop and a gilded bezel setting embellished with four corner knobs. It is set with a carnelian intaglio of the Roman goddess Minerva (Greek Athena). Minerva was the goddess of wisdom, war, and the arts. Here she is depicted in a standing pose on a groundline, flanked by two short columns. She is portrayed robed, wearing her iconic Corinthian helmet, and holding a shield. The wearing of this type of ring was an act of veneration towards the goddess, as well as a powerful statement of the wearer’s own strength and wisdom. The heightened status of Minerva in ancient Roman culture is evident through the use of her imagery in jewelry, coins, and other artifacts. Minerva was seen as the patron goddess of Rome and a symbol of the city’s wealth. The item has undergone X-ray fluorescence analysis to confirm the metallurgical content suggesting its ancient origin and lack of modern trace elements. This analysis will accompany the purchase.Size: D: 16.51mm / US: 6 / UK: M; 5.61gProvenance: Private London collection; British art market 1990s.