4th-8th century AD. A broad ceramic bowl with continuous spiral line of painted amuletic text to the inner face. 374 grams, 17.7cm (7"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired London art market, 1970-1980. Aramaic 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.

Fine condition, complete and undamaged.