Western Asiatic Turquoise and Amethyst Bead Group

Standing figure with applied eyes and beaked nose, lateral braids of hair and fringe, hatched collar, arms bent with hands flat on the chest; heavily restored. 57.2 grams, 13.2 cm



From a private St. Albans, UK, collection, formed 1960s-1990s.

Modelled in the round with a raised head and folded legs. 10.9 grams, 27 mm



London gentleman's collection, 1970-1990s, by descent.

With conical body, the inner face bearing the remains of concentric rings of inked magical Aramaic text. 369 grams, 16.9 cm



Private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK

Aramaic 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.