Posted 9 years ago
BelleEpoque
(98 items)
I got this little ring at an antiques market. It is made of a silver alloy. When I bought it, it was so dirty that the inscription was not even visible. Once cleaned the writing was revealed, which made it really interesting.
Somebody once translated it for me. It is in ancient Arabic script, and it is a sort of ‘memento mori’. It reads something like “good fortune does not last forever”.
It dates back to the early medieval period, roughly 6th to 13th centuries, and it probably originated somewhere in the Byzantine Empire. Condition is fine for its age, and I do wear it occasionally.
Wow, what a find! fantastic you got the translation :-)
Great piece! Thanks for sharing.
Thanx, kyra and blunderbuss, and everyone else!
Great piece of history, love it.
Interesting ring!
What about the ring gives you the dating?
scott
Hi Scott, the shape and inscription are indicative of age. Here a very good resource on early Islamic jewellery: https://books.google.nl/books?id=5c9NoOBf2Q4C&printsec=frontcover&hl=nl#v=onepage&q&f=false
BelleEpoque, would you please take a look at a pendant I have on my page? It is rather unusual and carries a Dutch sword hallmark (post 1953) and a foreign mark. I've collected jewelry for decades but have not seen this sort of pendant design before. I'm in the Netherlands. Thanks!