The Cat is Bound: Illustrated Incantation Bowls

Incantation Bowls were quite common in Syria, Iraq and Palesting in the first millennium BC, and examples are also known from Roman times. Aramaic is the most common language. The magical text on the bowl usually describes catching or warding off demons, and the bowl seems to have served as a trap. Most are not illustrated, but quite a few are; this one seems to show a sorceror who has overmastered a demon.

In this example the demon appears in the form of a cat, and the text includes the phrase, "The Cat is Bound."

Another. The University of Pennsylvania Museum has an extensive collection.