Two-Sided Dea Fortuna Wheel of Fortune Pendant
in 18k Gold
* * SOLD * *
A vintage pendant, modeled in 18k yellow gold, featuring the bust of the Roman Goddess Fortuna and her wheel of fortune. Dea Fortuna is depicted, here, as a blindfolded woman with long, flowing hair— she wears a carefree expression. The wheel of fortune is situated behind her, and a broad, circular frame encircles them both. This pendant has lovely dimensionality and depth. Both sides are fully finished, so the pendant looks the same on the front and back sides. Fortuna's face and hair are matte finished, along with her wheel, while her blindfold and the pendant's outer ring are finished with a high polish. This pendant hangs from a large oval jump ring. It is marked 750 for purity, and with Italian hallmarks.
In medieval and ancient philosophy Fortuna is the goddess of fortune, and her Rota Fortunae is a symbol of the "capricious nature of fate." The goddess of fortune wears a blindfold to reflect the belief that luck is blind, and without bias. Fortuna and her wheel are important concepts in early literature, where the wheel of fortune is often described as cruel, and is sometimes depicted with men arranged atop it! We love this pendant as a talisman, not only for our daring chancers, but also for those that respect and fear the wheel!
Materials
18k gold
Age
c. 1970
Dimensions
Total drop (including bail) measures approx 1 1/2"; circle measures approx 22.35 mm (about 7/8").