AN ENGRAVED BRASS MAGIC BOWL, INDIA DECCAN, 18TH CENTURY Thi...

Estimate

£800 - £1,200

AN ENGRAVED BRASS MAGIC BOWL, INDIA DECCAN, 18TH CENTURY

This engraved brass magic bowl is a talismanic vessel of shallow circular form featuring a central raised boss known as an omphalos. Constructed from a copper alloy, the object is decorated throughout with dense incised calligraphic and talismanic inscriptions. The interior rim is bordered by a continuous band of bold Thuluth script containing the Bismillah and other Quranic verses set against a stippled ground. The interior walls are divided into multiple concentric registers of Naskh and Thuluth script comprising Quranic citations, including the Ayat al-Kursi, and the Ninety-Nine Names of God. The central boss contains a calligraphic medallion. The underside of the bowl features concentric bands of text surrounding a central numerical magic square or buduh grid. The engraving technique utilizes stippling to provide contrast for the lettering. This type of vessel was traditionally used in the Persian and Indo-Persian cultural spheres for medicinal and protective purposes.

Diameter: 19.5cm