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LOT 0213
Aramaic Magical Bowl Bearing an Incantation Against Evil Spirits
4TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
7 5/8 in. (692 grams, 19.5 cm wide).
A ceramic flat-based bowl, inscribed in spiral from the bottom inner wall to the rim with Aramaic text, and on the outer rim.
ProvenanceEarly 1990s London collection.
Acquired on the UK art market.
From a private collection, Lancashire, UK
Cf. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, accession number: 80.001.0001.
FootnotesAramaic incantation bowls are particular to the Sassanian period and have been found in the regions of modern Iraq. 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 child-birth, illness and evil spirits.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0213
Aramaic Magical Bowl Bearing an Incantation Against Evil Spirits
Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
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Opening Bid: £800
The head from a leonine censer, formed with stylised features, an ovoid face, openwork eyes, triangular nose, ears pricked forwards and decorative openwork panels to the neck; mounted on a custom-made display base. 393 grams total, 13.5 cm high including stand
French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France.
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Western Asiatic Bracelet with Channel and Club Terminals
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
A penannular silver bracelet with expanding hoop with recessed central section, two roughly triangular projections to the centre of the bezel, ribbed terminals. 42.2 grams, 63 mm wide
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. -
Ur III Cuneiform Tablet Fragment, an Inventory of Linen and Metal Artifacts
Late 3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £64
A fragment of a ceramic pillow-shaped tablet with impressed cuneiform text to both broad faces, an inventory of linen and metal artifacts, including a bronze masatum. 21.9 grams, 56 mm
Fine condition.
Ex UK art market, 1970s. Property of a London gentleman.
