Massive Western Asiatic Terracotta Jar

Broad terracotta bowl with extensive inked inscription and symbols to the inner face; repaired and partly disassembled. 382 grams total, 9-17 cm



From an important family collection, London and Geneva.

Aramaic incantation bowls are particular to the Sassanian period and have been found in 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 those faced in child-birth, illness and evil spirits.

Restrung using graduated oblate and other beads, central feature with larger oblate and barrel-shaped beads. 5.6 grams, 46 cm long



UK gallery, early 2000s.

Turquoise has been known since prehistoric times, and it is widely used in jewellery in the Middle East (Egypt and Persia), the Far East (Tibet, Mongolia and China) and even by native North Americans. Turquoise was very fashionable also in Europe, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries.

A restrung necklace of fusiform and oval carnelian beads with centrepiece of waisted gold tubular bead; two silver inlaid pendants each a quatrefoil with discs in the spandrels, inset glass and haematite panels. 54 grams, 43 cm

Fine condition.

Acquired 1990s. With a London gallery. Property of a London collector; from her family's private collection.