An ancient Aramaic incantation bowl made of unglazed terracotta, designed to be buried beneath household thresholds to trap nocturnal malevolent entities. Its interior features a hypnotic spiral script written in dark ink from the center outward, creating a spiritual labyrinth that invokes protective angels—such as Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael—to permanently bind demons within its center.
Archive/Collection:
Louvre Museum
Date:
6th Century
Findspot:
Nippur
Current Location:
Near Eastern Antiquities Section
Provenance:
Mesopotamia
Category:
Incantation Bowl
Material:
Clay
Language:
Aramaic
Script:
Imperial Aramaic
Bibliography:
Montgomery 1913, Bowl 14; Naveh & Shaked 1985, p. 45.