Pen Box (Qalamdan)
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Papier-maché; painted, gilded, and lacquered
Dimensions
L. 9 in. (22.9 cm) D. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
Classification
Lacquer
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Josephine L. Berger Nadler, and Paul Anavian and Massoud Nader Gifts, 2008
Accession Number
2008.247a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Pen Box (Qdan)** from 19th-century Iran showcases the pinnacle of Islamic lacquerware artistry. Crafted from papier-maché—a lightweight yet sturdy material favored for its versatility—the box measures a slender 9 inches long and 1¼ inches in diameter, designed to hold reed pens (qalam) essential for calligraphy, poetry, and scholarship in Persian culture. Its surface is masterfully painted, gilded, and lacquered, creating luminous, jewel-like finish that protected the intricate decorations while allowing for vibrant colors and fine details. The unknown artist's floral motifs,...