Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

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Qalamdan, or pen box, with floral decoration

  • Description

    In Islamic culture, calligraphy has always held a special place and its practice is still considered the foremost form of visual expression. Its prestige extends to the ‘tools of the trade,’ the writing materials and implements that support the work of these artists.

    Historical examples of pen cases and scribal boxes were fashioned from metal - as in the medieval period - or wood and papier-mâché - in the modern time - and exquisitely decorated, as this example demonstrates. Their fine decoration and intimate nature made them into highly collectible items in modern times.

  • Details

    Associated place
    Asia Iran (place of creation)
    Date
    18th - 19th century (1701 - 1900)
    Material and technique
    steel, incised, and inlaid with gold
    Dimensions
    4.4 x 27.7 x 3.7 cm (height x width x depth)
    Material index
    Technique index
    formed cast,
    Object type index
    containerboxpen-box qalamdan,
    No. of items
    1
    Credit line
    Bequeathed by Christopher T. Gandy, 2012.
    Accession no.
    EA2012.124

Location

    • currently in research collection

Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.

 

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