In antiquity, even everyday household objects could achieve an astounding beauty. Here Fortuna, whimsical goddess of success and plenty, gracefully balances herself atop a slender pillar to provide support for a lamp. As the lamp shed its light, so the goddess was to bestow her benevolent blessings on the household, bringing prosperity. The loveliness of this rare piece has remained intact through the ages, and so, we believe, has its lucky magic.The Goddess Fortuna, identified with the Greek goddess Tyche, is often depicted carrying a cornucopia (“horn of plenty”), and a ship’s rudder. Here, we see the cornucopia in her left arm, and her right hand may possibly have steadied a udder while she stood.In addition to her role as the goddess of fortune, however, Tyche was also the personification of a concept - tyche - that both intrigued and inspired ancient Greek poets, philosophers, writers, and artists. This concept was variously interpreted over the years, and represented not only fortune, but also luck, success, or even chance.

Antiquities
Ancient Roman