Roman Marble Fortuna

An ancient Roman marble statue of the goddess Fortuna enthroned, holding a cornucopia cradled in her left arm. She wears a chiton bound beneath her breasts and himation draped across her lap;

Ca. 2nd century AD.

Height: 29 1/2 in. (75 cm).

Fors Fortuna was an Italian goddess, the bringer of fertility and increase. In classical times her worship was overlaid with that of Minerva and Egyptian Isis, and linked to the Greek goddess Tyche, daughter of Zeus, who presided originally over all happenings, good and bad, but later was reverenced as Luck or Chance. Since Tyche was significant to risky undertakings like sailing, she was often depicted with a ship’s rudder in her hand. While Tyche could signify good (secunda) or bad (adversa) chance, depending on the context, the Romans personified Fortuna as the goddess of luck, happy fate, and good fortune.

Formerly in an old German collection; subsequently in a California private collection; Christie’s, New York, June 5th, 2014, lot 113; subsequently in a European private collection (accompanied by French cultural export passport).

Inv#: 7941

Price On Request

Guaranteed Authentic

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