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Lot Essay
The inscription on the outside of this bowl translates 'This blessed bowl is to be used for the sting of a serpent and that of a scorpion, the bite of a mad dog, difficulty childbirth, stopping nose bleeds, abdominal pains, and for colic. The one who is stung, or his stand-in, should drink from it three times and will be cured with God's permission. In the case of difficult childbirth, water and saffron [should be drunk], and for stopping nosebleeds and abdominal pains water from it should be snuffed, and for colic, swallow hot water in gulps. From the treasuries.'
Two similar bowls are published in E. Rehatsek, 'Explanation and facsimiles of eight Arabic Talismanic Medicine Cups', Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol.X, 1871-74, pp.150-54 and G.Wiet, Catalogue général du Musée Arabe du Caire: Objects en cuivre, Cairo, 1932, no.3897, p.95 and pl.LXIII. For further discussion on these bowls, in which it is stated that only twenty-two examples are known, see Emilie Savage-Smith 'Magic-medicinal bowls' (in Francis Maddison and Emilie Savage-Smith, Science, Tools and Magic, London, 1997, pp.73-74).
Another was sold in these Rooms, 25 April 1995, lot 220.
Two similar bowls are published in E. Rehatsek, 'Explanation and facsimiles of eight Arabic Talismanic Medicine Cups', Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol.X, 1871-74, pp.150-54 and G.Wiet, Catalogue général du Musée Arabe du Caire: Objects en cuivre, Cairo, 1932, no.3897, p.95 and pl.LXIII. For further discussion on these bowls, in which it is stated that only twenty-two examples are known, see Emilie Savage-Smith 'Magic-medicinal bowls' (in Francis Maddison and Emilie Savage-Smith, Science, Tools and Magic, London, 1997, pp.73-74).
Another was sold in these Rooms, 25 April 1995, lot 220.