Description:

Lot 235. A SAFAVID BRASS ‘MAGIC’ BOWL, IRAN, 17TH CENTURY

This Safavid brass “magic” bowl, dating to the 17th century, is a striking testament to the era’s fascination with the intersection of art, spirituality, and healing. Crafted from finely hammered brass, the bowl displays a slightly flaring rim and rounded walls tapering to a small raised boss at the center — a form typical of talismanic vessels used in Islamic healing traditions.

The interior is meticulously engraved with concentric registers of naskh inscriptions containing Qur’anic verses, invocations, and protective prayers. These inscriptions are arranged within a series of polygonal compartments radiating from the central dome, suggesting a cosmological or geometric symbolism associated with divine harmony and protection.

The outer surface features additional calligraphic bands and fine arabesque motifs, their intricate linework softened by the warm patina developed over centuries of handling and ritual use. Such bowls were often filled with water to be consumed or used for washing, believed to impart the blessings and healing powers of the inscribed verses.

Diameter: 19 cm

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November 7, 2025 1:00 PM GMT
London, United Kingdom

PLAKAS

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