Ancient Near East, ca. 6th to 8th century CE. A Judeo-Aramaic terracotta bowl of a rare, phiale-like form with a fine black inscription spiraling around the interior. This bowl is defined by a flat base, wide walls, a thick, rolled rim, and a raised nubbin within the shallow basin. Bowls like this example were traditionally buried face-down under houses to catch demons and thus protect the house; they are also known as "incantation bowls" or "demon bowls." So-called devil trap bowls were apparently widely used; for example, nearly every house excavated in the Jewish-Iraqi settlement of Nippur had one buried somewhere around the premises of the domicile. Size: 8" W x 1.5" H (20.3 cm x 3.8 cm).

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000

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#135389

Large area of rim repaired from multiple pieces with some small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, small pressure fissure along basin interior, light fading to inscribed text, and minor nicks to rim and base, with light roughness across most surfaces. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory number written in black ink beneath base.