Classical World, Eastern Mediterranean, Phoenician, ca. 5th century BCE. A beautiful ring made from a band of semi-translucent, aubergine-hued glass. On the face are two opaque discs of yellow and blue glass fused atop and to the band. The two sheets of glass on the face form the distinctive "evil eye" design to ward off ill spirits. The interior is smooth and slightly flattened, perhaps from the original wearer. The band's thickness is not perfectly uniform, but adds character to this unique piece of ancient jewelry. Size of band: 0.93" Diameter (2.4 cm); opening size: 0.60" Diameter (1.5 cm); US ring size: 3.5

Imagery of the Evil Eye was first recorded by the Mesopotamian approximately 5,000 years ago in cuneiform on clay tablets. Some scholars believe that it may actually have originated as early as the Upper Paleolithic Age. Evil Eye iconography has been found in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultures as well as Buddhist and Hindu societies; however, each culture ascribes a similar meaning to it. The evil eye is believed to be a curse cast by a malevolent glare that is typically directed at a person who is unsuspecting and unaware. Many cultures believe that the evil eye can bring about misfortune, injury, or bad luck. For this reason, talismans and beads like these traditionally have been created to protect the wearer against the evil eye given their powerful apotropaic properties against the evil eye.

Provenance: private New York, USA collection; ex-Robert Horbacz estate, New York, USA, acquired from Amphora Auction 96, lot 499

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#165003

Stable fissure across face and underside of band. Age expected wear and light mineral deposits in that recessed areas. Otherwise intact and wearable.