Roman gold ring with minerva intaglio. Set with an oval brown stone intaglio of the Roman goddess Minerva holding a winged statue of Victory and shown with circular shield and spear in a rubover setting with thick flat bezel, on an intricate twisted wirework circular shank. Tested yellow gold, approximate weight 4.09 carats, circa 2nd - 3rd century AD.
Formally on the UK art market. Minerva was the Roman goddess of war, and is often depicted holding a statue of Victory with a shield. She was also goddess of wisdom and of the arts. Minerva is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Pallas Athene.