Pen Box with Hadith Inscription
second half of the 14th century
Description
This penbox is very unusual in bearing such lavish and intricate decoration on the lid and the clasps, and being otherwise completely plain. Such an object would normally have decoration on all sides, including the interior and the bottom. The Arabic inscription in human-headed script is a hadith, or a quote ascribed to the Prophet Mohammed. This is also rare on Islamic metalwork, which usually bears benedictory phrases, verses from the Qur'an, dedications to rulers, or information about the artist. Notes from the Glory and Prosperity exhibition, Feb - June 2002.
Dimensions
H. 4.5 x W. 5.4 x L. 24.8 cm (1 3/4 x 2 1/8 x 9 3/4 in.)
Provenance
Frances L. Hofer, Cambridge, MA, (by 1979), bequest; to Fogg Art Museum, 1979.
Related Artworks
View MoreChūban (medium-sized) minogami (mulberry bark paper) treated with persimmon juice and cut using the "hikibori" (pull-carving) and "tsukibori" (thrust-carving) techniques, with "ito-ire" (silk-web) reinforcement
19th-20th centuryJapanese
Steel overlaid with gold on top and sides, silver on base
19th centuryShemshad wood
19th centuryPersianInk on carved wood
19th centuryChineseChūban (medium-sized) minogami (mulberry bark paper) treated with persimmon juice and cut using the "kiribori" (drill-carving), "dōgubori" (punch-carving), and "tsukibori" (thrust-carving) techniques
19th-20th centuryJapanese