Pen box

Title

Pen box

Year/Period

1318 AH /1900 CE

Region

Iran

Object Type

pen trays

Material

brass (alloy), gilding (material), lacquer (material), wood (plant material)

Technique

fine woodworking, gilding (technique), lacquering, metalworking

Dimension

Object size: L 19.8 x W 3.3,
x Depth: 3

Accession No.

1997-04822

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This lacquered and gilded penbox is intricately decorated with images of birds, rabbits, leopards, dogs and butterflies against a background of floral scrolls, Chinese-inspired lotus blossoms and cloud bands. The top of the penbox bears an inscription in fine 'naskh' script, which states that the obejct was made as a gift for Atabak-i A'zam in the year 1318 (1900 CE). The interior of the penbox has a removable miniature brass inkwell with an openwork border, and a lid hinged with two swan-like birds.