CIRCA 7TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

A MESOPOTAMIAN INCANTATION BOWL
Circa 7th Century A.D.
The hemispherical bowl on a low disk foot, inscribed in Judeo-Aramaic with a seventeen line spiral incantation around a central figure, perhaps the Demon Lilith, encircled entirely by a snake, with another snake surrounding her on both sides and creating a figure-eight around her feet, the stylized figure with a scorpion to the right, the inscription calling upon a demon and an angel to free a troubled couple, Bar-Imma son of Sukhtoy and Parkoy daughter of Abanduk, from the smaller demons, including Lilith, which have been appearing before them in dreams as alluring men and women or as winged animals
11¾ in. (29.8 cm) diameter; 53/8 in. (13.7 cm) high

Lot Essay

Incantation bowls were used as amulets to protect the house and its inhabitants. Some bowls, such as the present example, were used to arouse or restore love between a couple. The bowl would be buried upside-down in order to trap the evil spirit beneath.

Although not unique, it is very rare to find an incantation bowl that invokes the powers to help salvage the love between a married couple. One of the angels invoked is a Jewish angel, Nuriel, the Light, whose name is associated with love. It is mentioned in an ancient Kabbalistic source that Nuriel's name be inscribed on any amulet regarding love, as he brings the divine light to earth to spark the hearts of lovers.

A full translation available upon request

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