Inkwell

Inkwell

The inscriptions on these inkwells are the ones encountered most often during the Seljuk era, with wishes for glory, prosperity, wealth, happiness, etc. The small handles on the lids and bodies may have been used to secure the lids when the inkwells were not in use. These two examples have very similar decoration except that one has rosettes and knotted split palmettes in the middle register of the body, whereas the other has figures sitting cross-legged holding branches or columns. The inkwell without figural decoration may have been used by a scribe who copied the Quran or other religious texts, while the other inkwell would probably have been used by a secular official. Notes from the Glory and Prosperity exhibition, Feb - June 2002.

late 12th century-early 13th century

Artists' Tools

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Alpheus Hyatt Purchasing Fund

1958.134

Artist: Unknown Artist

leaded brass, incised and inlaid with silver and copper

Cast

10 x 8 cm (3 15/16 x 3 1/8 in.)

Harvard Art Museums