Neoclassical Athena Intaglio Ring lost lovers resting in simple bezel mounts

resting in simple bezel mounts

and similar crosses have been commonly used by European monarchs as far back as the 9th century

Striking aesthetic beauty paired with deep symbolic meaning

and pearls

Neoclassical Athena Intaglio Ring lost lovers resting in simple bezel mountsAthena was goddess of Wisdom and War. A warrior goddess and protector of cities, she was closely associated with Nike, goddess of victory, although unlike Ares, also a war god, she had no interest in violence for its own sake (the wisdom part on full display here). She represented the 'civilised' and 'intellectual' side of war the virtues of justice and skill whereas Ares, the least respected of the twelve Olympian gods, represented blood lust and