Featuring a gold-plated finish, this Roman Owl of Minerva is designed as a pin with a clasp for easy and secure wear.
Minerva was worshipped in ancient Roman times as the goddess of wisdom, justice, the arts and strategic warfare. The owl was a commonly associated symbol with Minerva, and through this, has come to represent wisdom.
The pin badge comes attached to an information card featuring a Roman mosaic image on the front and details about Roman mosaics on the back.
Wealthy Romans lived in houses called villas built from stone and decorated with columns copied from earlier Greek architecture. The floors of these villas were often richly decorated with mosaics made from stone or glass of different colours known as tesserae. These mosaics usually captured scenes of history and everyday life. Images of animals, birds and creatures from the sea were also used on mosaics. The most popular animals were horses, dogs, lions and elephants; sea creatures were dolphins, fish, octopuses and turtles; birds were owls, peacocks, parrots and ducks. Many of these creatures were kept as pets, as status symbols or were a delicacy on the dinner table.
Materials: Gold plated pewter
Dimensions: 2 x 2cm
Shipping to United States of America is currently suspended for the foreseeable future.
The de minimus exemption for orders under $800 going to USA ended on Friday 29 August 2025. Please bear with us while we update our systems to accommodate the new tariffs and duties.
Christmas Delivery Dates
Please be aware that during busy periods, such as Christmas, it may take us longer than normal to respond to enquiries and to dispatch orders.
We recommend placing your order as early as possible to avoid disappointment. These are the recommended last dates for placing your order:
UK delivery – midnight Wednesday 17 December 2025
International delivery – midnight Wednesday 10 December 2025 (delivery times may be affected by customs clearance)
There will be reduced staffing over the Christmas holidays, so any online orders placed after midday Monday 22 December will be dispatched after 5 January 2026.
Our Pickup service is a convenient way for you to order online and collect your purchase in person at the Museum. Simply select the Pickup option at checkout.
The Online Shop team operates between Monday-Friday 10:00-16:00, so please allow time for us to prepare your order for collection or delivery, particularly at busy times of the year. We aim to have your order ready for collection/delivery within 72 hours.
The Museum will be closed on 24, 25, 26 December 2025, and 1 January 2026.
UK 1st Class: delivery 2-5 business days from dispatch
Europe: approximately 3-11 business days from dispatch (customs clearance may cause delays)
Rest of World: approximately 3-11 business days from dispatch (customs clearance may cause delays)
Please be aware that orders to International addresses may be subject to local customs duty or taxes. You will need to pay any additional charges for customs clearance, charges include local VAT and duty based on the value and origin of the product.
There is 5kg weight restriction for UK orders, and a 2kg weight restriction for International orders. If your order exceeds this weight, please contact the Online Shop team so that we can organise a quote for special delivery: onlineshop@ashmus.ox.ac.uk
Further information on our delivery options and returns policy can be found in Shipping & Returns.
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