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Roman intaglio (Fortuna)
Set in an iron ring (81.79H/6.3) Fortuna with steering oar and cornucopiae. The rendering is clear and precise, with a flowing curve to the body. She wears a scarf or shawl around her hips, and over her chiton. Found set in an irong ring (81.79H/6.3), but nevertheless very much damaged with large chips missing from the top and bottom rear. Iron corrosion obscures some detail of the engraving. The face is quite heavily worn.
This is one of 88 engraved gemstones retrieved in 1979, mostly from the filling of a large drain beneath the cold hall of the fortress baths. The gemstones would originally have been set in finger-rings, and served as signets and charms or talismans for their owners. They were products of extremely skilled craftsman who worked on a minute scale without the aid of magnification. The gems are engraved with a wide range of deities, personification and symbols.
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Site Name: Caerleon Fortress Baths, Caerleon
Notes: from the site of the frigidarium at the baths