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LOT 1787
Aramaic Terracotta Magical Incantation Bowl with Central Drawing
CIRCA 4TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
6 3/4 in. (285 grams, 17.2 cm wide).
With conical body, the inner face bearing the remains of concentric rings of inked magical Aramaic text.
ProvenancePrivate collection, 1980s.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Private collection, London, UK
Cf. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, accession number: 80.001.0001.
FootnotesAramaic incantation bowls are particular to the Sasanian 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 childbirth, illness and evil spirits.
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LOT 1787
Aramaic Terracotta Magical Incantation Bowl with Central Drawing
Estimate £500 - 700€580 - 810 (for guidance only)$680 - 950 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£250 (EUR 290; USD 338) +BP*
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Jemdet Nasr White Stone Stamp Seal in the Form of a Lion with Engraved Animals
Circa 3000 B.C.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Carved in the half-round as a stylised animal head, restrung with round red stone beads at each end, accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of White Marble, 20 x 24 x 7.5 mm. This seal has the form of a lion's head on the top side, cut from a pebble with snout, mouth, eyes and ears marked by cuts in the stone. It is pierced from top to bottom in the middle. The flat base is engraved with five animals done mostly with the drill. One horned animal, and three springing rodents and one sheep (?) can be made out. Five almost vertical lines, four between the animals, one in the centre, probably represent snakes. This is a seal of the Jemdet Nasr period, c. 3000 B.C., from Sumer or south-west Iran, and is in very good state of preservation. It is an interesting example of sculpture from the dawn of history'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.9 grams total, seal: 24.5 mm
Ex Mr K. Kobayashi, Galerie Archaique Ltd, Osaka, Japan, prior to 1988. Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1990. -
Holy Land Terracotta Jar
Bronze Age, circa 3rd millennium B.C.Estimate: £50 - 70 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Globular body with a tubular neck. 334 grams, 11.7 cm high
Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired before 2000. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip. -
Western Asiatic Decorated Terracotta Jug with Zoomorphic Handle
1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £75
Broad bulbous body with three low domed feet to the base,incised roundels to the shoulder, flared neck with strap handle and beat-head detailing. 7.51 grams, 25 cm
Ex North West London specialist collection of pottery, 1990s.
