A Roman bronze figure of Isis-Fortuna. 2nd Century AD. 14.5cm high. From an esteemed American collection; Sotheby's 2000 (8 December) lot 104

Fortuna was the goddess of fortune and the personification of luck in Roman religion who, thanks to the author Boethius, remained popular through the Middle Ages until at least the Renaissance. Often depicted with a 'Gubernaculum' (ship's rudder), a ball or 'Rota Fortunae' (wheel of fortune, first mentioned by Cicero) or a cornucopia (horn of plenty), she might bring good or bad luck. Fortuna came to represent life's capriciousness.