Engraved Gemstone with Tyche (Fortuna)
| Culture | Greek or Roman |
|---|---|
| Title | Engraved Gemstone with Tyche (Fortuna) |
| Date | 100 BCE–100 CE |
| Medium | Emerald |
| Dimensions | Object: 9/16 × 7/16 in. (1.4 × 1.1 cm) Overall: 9/16 × 7/16 in. (1.5 × 1.1 cm) |
| Credit Line | Burton Y. Berry Collection, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 66.32.9 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
An engraved emerald gemstone depicts a standing woman in a draped garment. Her head is turned to her left, while her right arm holds a boat's rudder with the tip resting on the ground at her feet. In the crook of her left arm she holds a cornucopia.
Fortuna (called Tyche by the Greeks) was the goddess of fate and luck. Especially favored by the Romans, she appeared frequently on Roman coins and gems. On this engraved gem, which was originally placed into a signet ring, she is easily recognized by her distinctive attributes: a radiant crown, a cornucopia, and ship’s rudder.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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"Engraved Gemstone with Tyche (Fortuna) | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=66.32.9