The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by  More »

The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by less literate scribes. Although the texts are not dated they are generally assigned to the late Sassanian/ early Islamic period (6th-8th century A.D.). Their main function was to trap evil spirits and they were often placed upside down at the corners of rooms, or built into foundations or cemeteries. The texts sometimes instruct them to be placed ‘at the four corners (of the room)’ for extra protection. The names of the clients for whom the bowls were made can be divided into two main categories- Semitic and Persian. However this is not always a reliable guide to their ethnicity. Jewish influence on the Mandaic inscriptions was minimal but is pronounced in the Aramaic incantations. Many of the scribes may have been Jewish or trained by Jews, and the Hebrew Bible is frequently quoted. Terracotta Incantation Bowl - SP.435 Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 ADDimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high x7.25(18.4cm)depth Collection:Near Eastern Art Medium: Terracotta   « Less

The term "Babylonian demon bowl" is used to describe earthenware vessels found exclusively in various sites of Iran and Iraq, created as forms of both protective and  More »

The term "Babylonian demon bowl" is used to describe earthenware vessels found exclusively in various sites of Iran and Iraq, created as forms of both protective and aggressive magic. They are identified by writing on the interior, and occasionally on the outside, in either Jewish- Aramaic, Syriac, Mandaic or Persian (Pehlevi). Placed in the corners of rooms where demons were believed to sneak in through cracks in the floor and walls, the bowl was buried facedown to lure malevolent spirits inside in order to trap them. The script was presumably an enticement, attracting demons so they would not do harm to persons or property. The open area in the center, combined with the sinuous, flowing script along the flared sides, does give the impression of a swirling vortex. Elegant in its simplicity, powerful in its incantation, this extraordinary bowl is a tangible link to magical practices of the Near East in Late Antiquity. - (SP.438)Terracotta Incantation Bowl - SP.438Origin: Jordan Circa: 500 AD to 800 ADDimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high x 6.50" (16.5cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Art Style:Mesopotamian Medium: Terracotta   « Less

The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by  More »

The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by less literate scribes. Although the texts are not dated they are generally assigned to the late Sassanian/ early Islamic period (6th-8th century A.D.). Their main function was to trap evil spirits and they were often placed upside down at the corners of rooms, or built into foundations or cemeteries. The texts sometimes instruct them to be placed ‘at the four corners (of the room)’ for extra protection. The names of the clients for whom the bowls were made can be divided into two main categories- Semitic and Persian. However this is not always a reliable guide to their ethnicity. Jewish influence on the Mandaic inscriptions was minimal but is pronounced in the Aramaic incantations. Many of the scribes may have been Jewish or trained by Jews, and the Hebrew Bible is frequently quoted. Terracotta Incantation Bowl - SP.435   « Less

Splashed 'Sgraffiato' Dish - JB.1284, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Sgraffiato Ware, Medium: Earthenware. This stunning  More »

Splashed 'Sgraffiato' Dish - JB.1284, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Sgraffiato Ware, Medium: Earthenware. This stunning Bowl has decoration incised (hence “Sgraffiato”) through a white slip, with lively coloring in various shades of brown, purple and green bringing a warm ethnic energy to the piece, under a transparent glaze. The main decorative motif is a geometric rosette made up of eight palmettes each of which is separated by a vertical incised line. Each palmette is incised with a decorative “pine-cone” design that gives the piece a very organic feel. The greater body of the piece is decorated in a similar style but in larger size. The entire bowl is highlighted in green with additions of intermittent splashes of purple and green on the rim.   « Less

Bamiyan 'Sgraffiato' Dish - JB.1285, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Sgraffiato Ware, Medium: Earthenware, Terracotta bowl  More »

Bamiyan 'Sgraffiato' Dish - JB.1285, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Sgraffiato Ware, Medium: Earthenware, Terracotta bowl incised and painted in green and brown manganese on a white slip under a transparent cream-colored glaze.   « Less

Babylonian Stone Duck Weight - PF.8040Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 2000 BC to 1000 BCCollection: Near Eastern Art Style: Babylonian Medium: Stone

Babylonian Stone Duck Weight - PF.8040Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 2000 BC to 1000 BCCollection: Near Eastern Art Style: Babylonian Medium: Stone   « Less

Jemdet Nasr Zoomorphic Amulet - FJ.1518dc Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 3000 BC to 2000 BCDimensions: .5" (1.3cm) high x .625" (1.6cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Art Style:  More »

Jemdet Nasr Zoomorphic Amulet - FJ.1518dc Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 3000 BC to 2000 BCDimensions: .5" (1.3cm) high x .625" (1.6cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Art Style: Jemdet Nasr Medium: Stone   « Less

Nishapur Glazed Bowl - AMD.07, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 3.1" (7.9cm) high , x 8.6" (21.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Nishapur  More »

Nishapur Glazed Bowl - AMD.07, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 3.1" (7.9cm) high , x 8.6" (21.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Nishapur Ware, Medium: Fritware. Islam was a defining force in the daily lives of the people of the region, and likewise had an effect on the arts as well. Muslim artists were prohibited from the depiction of figures of people or animals in art. Instead, the art of Islam abounds with floral motifs, inscriptions, intricate geometry and arabesques.   « Less

Jemdet Nasr Brown Quartz Amulet Depicting a Bull Head - FJ.1523dc Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: .625" (1.6cm) high x .375" (1.0cm)wide  More »

Jemdet Nasr Brown Quartz Amulet Depicting a Bull Head - FJ.1523dc Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: .625" (1.6cm) high x .375" (1.0cm)wide Collection:Near Eastern Art Style:Jemdet Nasr Medium:Quartz   « Less

Splashed Sgraffiato Vessel - AMD.09, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 5.1" (13.0cm) ,high x 6.7" (17.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Splashed Sgraffiato Vessel - AMD.09, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 5.1" (13.0cm) ,high x 6.7" (17.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Sgraffiato Ware, Medium: Buff Earthenware, Sgraffiato pottery belonged to one of the most important and earliest wares of Central Asia. It was suggested that the Sgraffiato technique was invented and introduced by the Copts of Egypt as early as the 4th and 5th centuries AD.   « Less