Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Pen Box and Inkwell with Tughra of Ahmed III
(Islamic World )
The central role of writing in Islamic societies led to calligraphy becoming the most important visual art form. Portable pen cases (Turkish: divit) were made with great care and became objects of art themselves. Examples from the Ottoman lands are characterized by pronounced end pieces with an inkwell and a tubular arm that held the pens. Such pieces were often hinged and had a metal loop for attachment to a belt. The yatate and divit elevated pen cases to the status of wearable works of art. This object bears the tughra of Ahmad III (r. 1703-1730).
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
Exhibitions
| 2015-2016 | Pearls on a String: Artists, Patrons, and Poets at the Great Islamic Courts. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. |
| 2011 | The Art of Writing Instruments from Paris to Persia. |
| 2010 | Poetry and Prayer: Islamic Manuscripts from the Walters Art Museum. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 1994 | Islamic Culture and the Medical Arts. National Library of Medicine, Bethesda. |
| 1984-1985 | Illuminated Manuscripts: Masterpieces in Miniature. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1981 | The World of Islam. Saint Mary's College, St. Mary's City. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment | Treated for exhibition | |
| Treatment | The pen case was cleaned with organic solvents to remove old coating residues, tarnish and polish residues. The join between the inkwell and the pen tubes was stabilized with acrylic resin and Japanese tissue. A partial second stamped tughra was located on the central tube opposite the inkwell. A complete stamp was present on the underside of the inkwell. The double-walled well contains residues of a black ink (not analyzed). One cap for a tube is a restoration. The restoration can be distinguished by the lack of an assay zigzag mark, shorter length and crudely cast cap. | |
| 1/1/1930 | Treatment | other |
| 11/17/1981 | Examination | examined for loan |
Geographies
Turkey, Istanbul (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 1 3/4 x W: 2 1/4 x L: 9 1/8 in. (4.45 x 5.72 x 23.18 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
57.627