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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Bronwen, post: 9466524, member: 5833&quot;]The lady is holding a little perch for the bird, which to my mind brings the idea that the bird is trained, or is being trained, to hunt, or is a pet.&nbsp; The carver did such a good job with his human subject, I find it hard to believe an owl would not be more clearly recognizable if one were intended.&nbsp; Also, she is gazing up at it, the focus of her attention.&nbsp; When an owl appears with Athena on an engraved gem, it is most often as a device on helmet or shield, sometimes just a symbol in the field around her, not as the central figure, &amp; not in a way that indicates a real live bird.&nbsp; This piece violates every convention for portraying the goddess.&nbsp; I have to conclude it is a noblewoman &amp; a non-specific avian companion.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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