ANTIQUITIES AND ISLAMIC ART SALE
Lot 158:
Description
A remarkable and rare bronze magic bowl from early Safavid Persia, dating to the 16th century, exquisitely engraved with talismanic inscriptions and intricate motifs across both interior and exterior surfaces.
The bowl is shallow with a gently flaring rim and a pronounced raised boss at the center. The interior is densely covered with finely incised Arabic inscriptions—verses, invocations, and protective prayers—arranged in concentric bands and framed within interlaced arched panels. This meticulous scriptwork suggests a ritual or curative function, typical of magic bowls used in Islamic folk medicine and spiritual healing.
The exterior is equally detailed, with additional inscriptions and geometric motifs incised into the bronze, now beautifully patinated with a mottled green and brown surface, showing traces of old tinning and age-related wear. A distinctive circular panel is engraved on the base, surrounded by calligraphic arcs—likely referencing Qur’anic or astrological symbolism meant to harness divine or cosmic forces for protection, health, or exorcism.
Diameter: 15.5cm, H: 4.5cm
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