Islamic magic bowl - Brass - Turkey - Late Ottoman period

Late ottoman period (Turkey), ca. 17th to early 19th century CE. A cast brass bowl etched with talismans and calligraphic inscriptions from the Qur'an apart these the particularly of the bowl is that reports 104 names of Allah, while normally Allah has only 99 names according to the Holy Qur'an with a conical omphalos in the center. The bowl rests on a low ring foot, and the base is the only area bare of etchings. The interior and exterior of this bowl are almost completely covered with engraved bands and roundels . The interior contains cartouche-shaped borders that frame some of the script from the rest. These magic bowls were used to cure illnesses and to divine the future. Water was placed in the bowl and the inscriptions would imbue the water with power that was transferred to the drinker. Size: 6.25" Diameter x 2" H (15.9 cm x 5.1 cm).