Sterling Silver Justice Ring. The original ring that inspired this reproduction was found on the finger of a young woman whose remains were excavated at Herculaneum, who was overcome by the gas and ashes coming from the explosion of Mt. Vesuvius, not far from a luxurious roman-era dwelling from which she was departing. A wealthy ancient roman town north up the Italian coast from Pompeii, the populace of Herculaneum suffered an analogous fate to the citizens of Pompeii when their city was destroyed by the dramatic explosion of the volcano. The young woman was found with a small cache of gold jewelry. Archeologists have determined that based on the pieces and her age, she must have been a favorite servant of the property owners and that these modest but solid gold pieces were given to her by her masters.

The ring features the Roman goddess Iustitia (Justitia or Lady Justice). Depicted as a beautiful woman, sometimes holding a pair of scales in one hand and a sword or cornucopia in the other. A nearly identical image is used by the ancient Greeks to depict their goddess Themis. The "law and order" that Themis venerated was in the sense of natural order and acceptable standards especially as they relate to family or the community, for example: rules of justice and morality, religious behavior, hospitality & how you treat guests and how you behave in public. Such customs were perceived as natural in origin, though they would today be seen as cultural or social constructs. 

The original ring was in gold with a carved stone and would have been given to the servant to protect her. Our reproduction is in sterling silver. Cast in Italy.