Byzantine ring?

[passepartout87]

I bought this ring at an antique store in Istanbul yesterday and the man told me (in Turkish - which I may have only half understood) that it's from the Byzantine era which to me seems quite unbelieveable. Can anyone tell me (1) if that seems possible looking at this ring and (2) either way, if you know what this symbol might mean? To me it looks like an eye. Metal seems to be bronze or copper and the ring is a little heavy.

Thanks in advance!!
Claire

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Silver Searcher]

Welcome to TreasureNet Claire, the ring looks more like the Celtic Evil Eye Style, although it would seem there was once a crude stone in the middle at some time, but the Romans were all over that part of the World, so could well be from that time frame.

SS

 

[CRUSADER]

It is possible, the profile looks about right, not keen on the top patina but could be OK.

 

[capt-zero]

The "evil eye" has long been a totem of the Anatolian culture, and shows up often in jewelry from that area. As to it's time frame, I wouldn't have a clue, but there is a square shaped indentation around the rim of the ring in your second picture. Get a loupe and look to see if there is a "tugra" mark of the Ottoman Empire there. I have a Ottoman bracelet that has a "tugra" in a square indentation just like that.

 

[passepartout87]

Thanks for your help with this! capt-zero, I don't see any sort of tugra mark on the ring... the little rectangle looks more like an accidental indent, though I don't have a loupe to check it more closely. Silver Searcher, I hadn't thought of it being a Celtic style! Very interesting! Thanks all.

 

[capt-zero]

Yes, you would need at least 10X to be able to discern the Ottoman mark. Another mark it might be is a right facing raptor head. Also used by the Ottoman Empire.