Bronze Aya Sopia plate? ashtray?

[pantrwrstl]

Pulled this out of my grand fathers trunk he had in the basement. He passed years ago so I couldn't ask him about it, and my grandma had no clue. He was in the navy during WWII so I'm guessing he may have picked it up in his travels back then, but then again him and my grandma traveled a lot so it may be later than that. It looks copper or bronze and the interior detail looks hand carved, but I'm not sure about the outside as there is not real pattern to the figures, but I'm assuming it is stamped out. After looking online Aya Sophia is a building in Turkey, so I find it weird that it is spelled different on this piece. Any thoughts or ideas?

[frogpatch]

I just saw one of these on line when I was looking for Kevin's Plate. I will go try to find it.

[frogpatch]

Here ya go! Photographic memory I was told.

http://www.gaslampantiques.com/magazine/features.php?article=123

[KC]

Way to go frogpatch! 

[frogpatch]

I think the one belonging to Pantrwrstl is older as thought. Probably War vintage. According to the site the Byzantine Church was built in 537AD. Now that old.

[KC]

You asked plate or ashtray....you need to indicate the measurements.

In addition, you need to post pics of the back.

[mart]

Here ya go! Photographic memory I was told.

http://www.gaslampantiques.com/magazine/features.php?article=123

Well at least you have a memory !!

[fancypants]

Interior of the building image (quite a delight to see in person) in Istanbul .

(Sophia is a Latin phonetic spelling of the Greek word for 'wisdom')

[pantrwrstl]

plate diameter is 5.75"

[matty77]

Been there three times Fancy - couldn't agree more.  Nothing like it.