Kashmiri Pierced, Chiselled Bronze Pen Case

This large, pierced and engraved pen box is of bronze and is from India, either northern India – probably Kashmir – or from the Deccan. It is rectangular but with eight sides.

It stands on four feet and has a hinged, raised lid that closes with a latch.  All sides and the central cartouche on the lid are pierced with scrolling lattice work.

The lid has a border of Persian in nastaliq script. The lines most likely are from a poem by Omar Khayyam, the 11th-12 century Persian poet, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. The maker’s inclusion of lines from such a famous source no doubt was intended to elevate the status of the object.

The interior is divided into compartments for inkpots, pens and so on.

The box has a good, chocolate-brown patina.

The box is in very fine condition.