Pen case, wood, inlaid with ivory, mother-of-pearl, tortoise shell, ebony, and zinc
Turkey; 2nd half of 16th or 1st half of 17th century
H: 9; W: 35; D: 12 cm
Inventory number 39/2000
The inlay technique reached a very high standard under the Ottoman Turks after a court workshop was founded in the mid-16th century that specialized in work with mother-of-pearl. New patterns were devised, and many different materials were used to inlay objects such as Koran stands, doors, etc.
The lid and sides of this pen case hold geometric decorations that fill the surfaces to perfection. Their symmetry is broken only at the narrow edge at the top, its irregular progression creating dynamic movement.
The pen case formerly belonged to the French landscape painter Félix Ziem (1821-1911).
The lid and sides of this pen case hold geometric decorations that fill the surfaces to perfection. Their symmetry is broken only at the narrow edge at the top, its irregular progression creating dynamic movement.
The pen case formerly belonged to the French landscape painter Félix Ziem (1821-1911).
Published in
Published in
Sotheby’s, London, 13/4-2000, lot 97;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat.no. 443;
Sheila S. Blair and Jonathan M. Bloom (eds.): Cosmophilia. Islamic Art from the David Collection, Copenhagen, McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, Boston 2006, cat.no. 61;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat.no. 443;
Sheila S. Blair and Jonathan M. Bloom (eds.): Cosmophilia. Islamic Art from the David Collection, Copenhagen, McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, Boston 2006, cat.no. 61;
Ivory, Wood, and Papier-mâché
Wooden crozier mounted with plaques of tortoise shell and mother of pearl, with turned elements of ivory, and with a two-part top of cast silver
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Bottle of mother-of-pearl and box of wood covered in leather
Powder horn made of a conch shell extended with mother-of-pearl, gilt copper and possibly wood
Double-walled dish, mother-of-pearl and brass