1st century BC-2nd century AD. A silver statuette of the goddess Fortuna standing on a rectangular base, robed, with a cornucopia in her left hand and a ship's rudder in her right. Fortuna is 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. Her festival was on May 25 and she had an important sanctuary at Praeneste, not far from Rome. In the city of Rome itself 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, Fortuna Obsequens, indulgent fortune, amongst many others. Her cult was also established by Constantine in his new capital of Constantinople by the building of a temple to her. 8.62 grams, 33mm (1 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s.

Very fine condition.