Pen Box with Flowers, Birds and Animals

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Ivory inlaid with black lacquer and gold is used to create intricate patterning of plants and birds on this Mughal pen-box. Animals carved into the ivory border the medallions along the lid. Pen-boxes, together with daggers and rings, were worn in men’s sashes in Mughal India to display wealth and were exchanged as royal gifts.

Pen Box with Flowers, Birds and Animals, Ivory; carved, incised, and inlaid with black lacquer and gold

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Pen Box with Flowers, Birds and Animals, Ivory; carved, incised, and inlaid with black lacquer and gold
Pen Box with Flowers, Birds and Animals, Ivory; carved, incised, and inlaid with black lacquer and gold
Pen Box with Flowers, Birds and Animals, Ivory; carved, incised, and inlaid with black lacquer and gold

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