Indian Islamic Magic Bowl

Magic Medicinal Bowl

Northern India

19th century or earlier

diameter: 16.2 cm; height: 4.8 cm

This brass magic bowl is etched all over with Koranic script. The interior sides are decorated with honey-comb like bands infilled with Koranic script. The rim is etched with further script. The interior base is etched with repeated boteh motifs also infilled with script, as is the central cone. (The boteh or paisley motif derives from northern India and may be based on the shape of the mango.)

The exterior sides are decorated with bands and roundels of script. The underneath of the rim is similarly etched. Even the thin ring foot on which the bowl stands is chased with Koranic script. The base too is etched, possibly with ownership inscriptions.

Magic bowls were made at least as early as the 12th century. They were used in Islam in the treatments of disease and other ailments, including insect and snake bites. Water placed in such bowls was believed to take on curative aspects after having come into contact with the various talismanic and Koranic symbols and verses etched onto such bowls. It was then drunk by the afflicted person.

References

Savage-Smith, E., ‘Islamic magical texts vs. magical artefacts’, in Societas Magica Newsletter, Fall 2003.

Inventory no.: 725

SOLD