Roman Empire – Carnelian Intaglio Engraved Gem - Goddess Victoria (Nike) 1st–3rd Century AD Material: Carnelian (chalcedony quartz) Description: An authentic Ancient Roman carnelian intaglio gemstone, finely engraved with the figure of the goddess Victoria (Greek: Nike), the divine personification of victory. The goddess is depicted seated and winged, rendered in a classical Roman style. Her posture and flowing drapery convey grace and divine authority, while the wings clearly identify her as Victoria. This type of composition is characteristic of Roman glyptic art from the Imperial period, particularly in the 1st–3rd centuries AD. The stone displays a warm orange carnelian hue, far richer in hand than captured by the camera, with natural translucency typical of high-quality Roman gemstones. Iconography & Meaning: Victoria/Nike was one of the most important divine symbols in Roman ideology. She represented: Military victory and triumph Divine favor granted to emperors and generals Success, protection, and legitimacy Intaglios engraved with Victoria were commonly worn as protective and symbolic signet stones, set into rings used for sealing documents or as personal talismans affirming success and status. Function: Originally mounted in a Roman finger ring, serving as both: A personal seal (intaglio function) A symbolic amulet associated with victory and divine favor The accompanying blue impression material shown in the photograph highlights the engraved design and demonstrates the stone’s original sealing function. Measurements: Length: 11.6 mm Width: 10 mm Depth: 3.2 mm Weight: 0.57 g Condition: Very good ancient condition. The engraving remains clearly legible, with well-preserved details. Minor surface wear consistent with age and ancient use. No modern reworking observed. Natural inclusions and internal features confirm the stone’s antiquity. Historical Context: Carnelian was among the most favored gemstones in Roman glyptic art, prized for its durability, symbolic warmth, and suitability for engraving. Roman workshops produced vast numbers of intaglios depicting deities, virtues, and mythological figures, many of which were worn daily by citizens, soldiers, and officials. Examples of comparable Victoria intaglios are preserved in major museum collections, including the British Museum and the Louvre. Provenance: From an old European private collection fromed in the 1980s . A declaration of legal origin is available in PDF format upon request. Collector’s Note: Roman intaglios depicting Victoria remain highly collectible due to their strong symbolism and elegant compositions. Stones with good preservation, balanced proportions, and attractive natural color—such as this example—are increasingly difficult to acquire.