Judeo-Aramaic Terracotta Devil Trap Bowl

**First Time At Auction**

Ancient Near East, ca. 6th to 8th century CE. A Judeo-Aramaic terracotta bowl with a rounded base, gradually-widening walls, and a thick rim. The interior has delineated empty bands where black-painted inscriptions would typically be written, however no such texts exists in this example. Bowls like this 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 under or around the premises of the dwelling. Size: 6.75" W x 2.75" H (17.1 cm x 7 cm).

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#131384
Condition Report: Bowl repaired from multiple large pieces with one area of restoration as well as small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, small nicks to rim and base, and light roughness across most surfaces. Nice earthen deposits throughout.