Ancient Near East, c. 5th - 6th Century AD.
Terracotta "Demon-Trap" incantation bowl.

The inner surfaces decorated with concentric grooves below the rim and vertical impressions, which give a ripple effect. The interior with lines of 'pseudo-script' imitating Syriac or Aramaic. A nice example! Cf. J.B. Segal, Aramaic and Mandaic Incantation Bowls in the British Museum, pl. 158, no. 141Ps for a similar example. Most scholars agree that the primary use for these 'Devil-Trap' bowls was to create a trap for spirits that were believed to be causing harm to a specific person or place. They are often found in the corners of rooms or at the entrances to bar access or cause demons to flee. the bowl and the ritual involved served to complete the process and produce an item with powerful apotropaic qualities, using sympathetic magic, in a culture steeped in mysticism and superstition. Ex-collection Dr. Geoffrey Smith, San Diego CA. 150 mm (5 7/8") diameter, stands 60 mm (2 1/4") tall. #GS451: $750