15th century
Iran
Object qualities
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Object
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumBrass; engraved and inlaid with silver and gold
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SizeL. 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm) H. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm) W. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm)
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Geography detailsAttributed to
Iran -
Country today
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Date15th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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This brass pen box was made in the late fourteenth century but significantly altered by the mid-fifteenth century. The interior decoration of a small-scale pattern of roundels with flying birds and running motifs provides a glimpse into the original decoration of the box. After the exterior surface was burnished to remove this original decoration, new patterns, including a series of interlocking medallions and cartouches and incised lotus blossoms, were set against a cross-hatched background. The inkwell and surrounding insert were added at a yet later date. The inscriptions in thuluth and naskh scripts include poetic verses and good wishes to the owner.