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Pen box (qalamdan)

Title	Pen box (qalamdan)
Publication Date:	1880
Publication Place	Iran (made) -
Subject	Woodwork
Type	Other
Language	Undetermined
Digital	Yes
Manuscript	No
Physical Dimensions	Length: 24cm
Library:	Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID	277:1-1884
Record ID	277:1-1884
Library Location	Middle East Section
Date	1880
Notes	The primary function of a pen box (qalamdan) was as a writing implement - made of papier mache, wood or other materials, including precious metals â intended to hold a number of tools associated with the art and act of writing, including reed pens, an inkwell, liqah (a cotton wool substance used to absorb excess ink), a penknife, a qatâzan (a flat resting board made of horn), a whetstone, a small spoon, and a pair of scissors. These accessories were considered essential elements for a scribe. The box that kept these elements was deemed, by association, as important as the person who handled its contents, with the quality of the boxâs decoration directly reflecting the status of the scribe or patron. Major R. Murdoch Smith discusses the Iranian town of Abadeh (between Isfahan and Shiraz) as being the main centre of Persian wood carving during the period of 1800-1900. This town was famous for its elaborately carved spoons (qashuq) and small boxes, in particular, all made of either pear or lime wood, and carved with a common pocket-knife.
Malzemeler ve teknikler	Carved pearwood
Parçalar	Pen Case, Bag of Fragments
Fiziksel açıklama	Oblong shaped pen box made from carved pearwood, with rounded edges and a sliding case. The top and sides of the lid are carved entirely in an open work pattern of repeated stylised flowers. The box is damaged with missing parts.

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Victoria and Albert Museum

Pen box (qalamdan)

Publication Date 1880

Publication Place Iran (made) -

Subject Woodwork

Type Other

Language Undetermined

Digital Yes

Manuscript No

Physical Dimensions Length: 24cm

Library Victoria and Albert Museum

Library Asset ID 277:1-1884

Record ID 277:1-1884

Library Location Middle East Section

Date 1880

Notes The primary function of a pen box (qalamdan) was as a writing implement - made of papier mache, wood or other materials, including precious metals â intended to hold a number of tools associated with the art and act of writing, including reed pens, an inkwell, liqah (a cotton wool substance used to absorb excess ink), a penknife, a qatâzan (a flat resting board made of horn), a whetstone, a small spoon, and a pair of scissors. These accessories were considered essential elements for a scribe. The box that kept these elements was deemed, by association, as important as the person who handled its contents, with the quality of the boxâs decoration directly reflecting the status of the scribe or patron. Major R. Murdoch Smith discusses the Iranian town of Abadeh (between Isfahan and Shiraz) as being the main centre of Persian wood carving during the period of 1800-1900. This town was famous for its elaborately carved spoons (qashuq) and small boxes, in particular, all made of either pear or lime wood, and carved with a common pocket-knife.

Malzemeler ve teknikler Carved pearwood

Parçalar Pen Case, Bag of Fragments

Fiziksel açıklama Oblong shaped pen box made from carved pearwood, with rounded edges and a sliding case. The top and sides of the lid are carved entirely in an open work pattern of repeated stylised flowers. The box is damaged with missing parts.