Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were  More »

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were neglected by the nineteenth century pioneers of Mesopotamian archaeology who were more interested in discovering palace foundations and large-scale sculpture. In more recent years however their importance has been recognised and they have been studied in-depth.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 - LO.763Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 ADDimensions: 2.5 " (6.4cm) high x 6.9 " (17.5cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern medium: Terracotta   « Less

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were  More »

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were neglected by the nineteenth century pioneers of Mesopotamian archaeology who were more interested in discovering palace foundations and large-scale sculpture. In more recent years however their importance has been recognised and they have been studied in-depth.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 - LO.763Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 ADDimensions: 2.5 " (6.4cm) high x 6.9 " (17.5cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern medium: Terracotta   « Less

Islamic Glazed Earthenware Bowl - DAC.007, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art,  More »

Islamic Glazed Earthenware Bowl - DAC.007, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic Art, Medium: Glazed Earthenware, Condition: Extra Fine.   « Less

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were  More »

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were neglected by the nineteenth century pioneers of Mesopotamian archaeology who were more interested in discovering palace foundations and large-scale sculpture. In more recent years however their importance has been recognised and they have been studied in-depth.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 - LO.763Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 ADDimensions: 2.5 " (6.4cm) high x 6.9 " (17.5cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern medium: Terracotta   « Less

Bamiyan Glazed Bowl - AMD.274, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Bamiyan,  More »

Bamiyan Glazed Bowl - AMD.274, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Bamiyan, Medium: Glazed Earthenware. These Turquoise glazed molded wares form a distinct group of pottery, unified by their fabric, shapes, techniques of making and decorating and their motifs. These wares are made in molds many examples of which have been excavated at very well preserved sites complete with intact kilns. They show ornament in relief on the interior of small bowls. During the manufacturing process, the bowls were generally stacked on tripods which usually left distinctive scars on the inside of the bowls. What distinguishes this bowl is the lack of any such marks and the decorative and structural perfection of this piece. This bowl is decorated with the image of a stylized lion or similar wild cat. He has a fearsome face and is clearly roaring. A powerful paw extends beneath him and propels him around the bowl. One can also clearly make out his rear leg and tail. Where the first lion ends the same image is repeated across the second half of the bowl. The top edge of the bowl is decorated with strikes of purple glaze.   « Less

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were  More »

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were neglected by the nineteenth century pioneers of Mesopotamian archaeology who were more interested in discovering palace foundations and large-scale sculpture. In more recent years however their importance has been recognised and they have been studied in-depth.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 - LO.763Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 ADDimensions: 2.5 " (6.4cm) high x 6.9 " (17.5cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern medium: Terracotta   « Less

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were  More »

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were neglected by the nineteenth century pioneers of Mesopotamian archaeology who were more interested in discovering palace foundations and large-scale sculpture. In more recent years however their importance has been recognised and they have been studied in-depth.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 - LO.763Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 ADDimensions: 2.5 " (6.4cm) high x 6.9 " (17.5cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern medium: Terracotta   « Less

'Seljuk-White' Dish - AMD.275, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) high x 6.5" (16.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk,  More »

'Seljuk-White' Dish - AMD.275, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) high x 6.5" (16.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Fritware. The so-called “Seljuk White” wares were very popular in Central Asia during the 12th and 13th centuries. They were produced in Bamiyan as well as other locations. They were made of composite white fritware and their body was coated on both sides with a colourless transparent glaze.   « Less

Kashan Lustre Jar - LK.002, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1200 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 6.2" (15.7cm) high x 4.7" (11.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Kashan,  More »

Kashan Lustre Jar - LK.002, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1200 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 6.2" (15.7cm) high x 4.7" (11.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Kashan, Medium: Fritware, Lustre, having been first used on glazed pottery in ninth century Iraq, became very popular in the tenth-twelfth centuries in Fatimid Egypt, and then reached new heights in Seljuk Iran round about the 13th century, before the Mongol invasions. The centre of the Persian luster industry was Kashan. During this period, Muslim potters developed a new and finer material than clay, “fritt”, consisting of about ten parts crushed quartz, one part white clay and one part glass frit made by melting crushed quarts and potash and crushing the substance again.   « Less

Nishapur Slip Painted Pottery Bowl - LK.006, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 3.1" (7.9cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide, Collection:  More »

Nishapur Slip Painted Pottery Bowl - LK.006, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 3.1" (7.9cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) 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. Islamic 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