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LOT 1384
Aramaic Magic Bowl Group
4TH-8TH CENTURY A.D. AND LATER
3 1/2 - 6 1/2 in. (388 grams total, 9.1-16.5 cm).
Comprising: large domed vessel with rounded rim and four painted segments each with repeated symbols; plus a smaller non ancient conical vessel with inturned rim, painted legend in three concentric rings and symbol to centre. [2]
ProvenanceAcquired on the German art market, 1989-1995.
with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003.
Property of a London based academic, 2003-present.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
These simple ceramic bowls, also known as magic bowls, each contain an Aramaic inscription, written in ink, which spirals from the centre. The bowls seem to have played an important part in domestic life. For example, during excavation in Nippur in 1889, one or more incantation bowls were found in each house together with domestic artefacts, most often in doorways or under floorboards in the corner of rooms. The bowls are predominantly apotropaic, and the inscriptions tend to protect their owners from misfortunes such as those faced in child-birth, illness and evil spirits.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1384
Aramaic Magic Bowl Group
Estimate £500 - 700€580 - 810 (for guidance only)$680 - 950 (for guidance only)
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Large Western Asiatic Bronze Stamp Seal Matrix with Cross
Circa 2200-2000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Discoid with strap handle to the rear, accompanied by typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 68 x 19mm. This is a round compartmented seal with wavy edge and loop handle on the back. The compartments, which rise from a solid back, form a pattern: the circle is divided into four quarters by two crossing bands of nine squares, and opposite quarters have the same design. Two have a bush or tree with branches sprouting from each side of the main stem, two have a scorpion. This is a seal from eastern Iran or Afghanistan, c.2200-2000 B.C. It is a large and fine example, and while there is now much corrosion on the surface, this could be removed with laboratory treatment.' 85 grams, 69 mm
Ex collection of a late London gentleman, 1990s. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
19th century B.C.-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Including triangular, leaf-shaped, barbed, paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib, and others. 176 grams total, 3.4-10.2 cm
Ex London art market, 1980-1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Some of the represented arrowheads (paddle-shaped) were typical of the Old Babylonian Empire. The shoulders were pronounced and the arrowhead had a rectangular-section tapering tang. This simple form was popular throughout and are comparatively common finds in the Holy Land. The collection includes a rare Eastern Roman iron type with triangular blade having rhomboid section and short tang. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Animal Figure
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Modelled with crescent horns and applied disc eyes. 14.3 grams, 51 mm
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.