Silver & Gold Filigree Pen Box (Kalamdan)

This fine, slender pen case box or kalamdan is from India. The exterior comprises a series of oval cartouches in alternating silver and gold or gilt filigree. The underside is of silver sheet engraved finely at each end with a leaf-like flourish.

The pull-out tray is of pure silver, the exterior sides of which have been engraved with Mughal-like vegetal scrollwork. The end of the tray is covered in silver filigree to match the rest of the box’s exterior.

The internal tray has a gold and gilt filigree inkwell at one end with a round hinged cover topped with a turquoise cabochon. The gold filigree is over red foil to provide a pleasing contrast.

The rest of the tray was to house the reed pens or quills. Included is a silver spoon with a boteh-shaped bowl which presumably was to sprinkle sand over the ink to assist with drying. Bala Krishnan & Kumar (1999, p. 132) illustrate a Mughal white jade pen box which includes a similarly-shaped sanding spoon.

The base of the internal tray is engraved with leafy flourishes at each end and a pair of birds, reminiscent of the birds that might be seen on painted papier mache pen boxes from Kashmir and Persia.

See a related silver and gilt filigree pen box in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Terlinden (1987, p. 157) gives an 18th century dating for the V&A box. The museum itself suggests 19th century. Either seems reasonable.

The box here is in fine condition and without loss.