Finger Ring with Figure of Nike

The figured carved on the upper portion of this gold ring represents Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. She faces right in contrapposto with one hand behind her back while the other, outstretched, displays a wreath. The goddess is exquisitely engraved, with separately modeled locks of hair and individual feathers on her wings. Engraved rings were worn both as jewelry and as personal signatures, since the engraved image could be pressed to create a seal.