Intaglio ringstone with image of Athena or Minerva
Description
This ‘intaglio’ ringstone shows the Greek goddess Athena or Roman goddess Minerva. She is wearing a plumed helmet and a Greek style of tunic, and is holding a spear and shield. It is an unusual design as it has a palm and wreath in the field of the gem, as these are usually carried by a smaller figure of Victory often depicted standing on Athena’s hand. Ringstones were set into a finger ring and could be used as a personal seal on documents. It belonged to Lieutenant Colonel Montague who collected over 800 classical archaeological objects, which he bequeathed to the museum on his death.
