Pen box and utensils, Mughal empire, 17th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
17th century
Pen box and utensils in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number 02549(IS)), made in Mughal empire, dated 17th century. The museum's brief description reads: White nephrite jade set with rubies, emeralds and diamonds in gold; Mughal court, c.
1650-1700.. Museum description: Rectangular box of white nephrite jade set with rubies, emeralds and diamonds in gold. The lower section has a central dividing rib and two small inkpots with hinged covers, one of which is missing. It contains a small knife, pen holder and spoon, all of jewelled jade. The knife has a steel blade overlaid in gold. The cover has a design of flowers, leaves and palmettes of rubies, diamonds and emeralds in gold; the large central blossom is set with rubies.
The museum records it as White nephrite jade, rubies, emeralds and diamonds set in gold., measuring Height 2 cm; Length 20.9 cm; Width 8.8 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This pen box containing small utensils necessary for the preparation of pens and ink was almost certainly made in the ateliers of the Mughal court in the second half of the 17th century. Nephrite jade imported from Khotan was a rare material in the first half of the century, but following the re-opening of trade routes through Kashmir, it became increasingly available to the royal artisans. Such an opulent piece, set with rubies, emeralds and diamonds of good quality and shaped with considerable skill, was probably made as an emblem of office. It would perhaps have been given to a newly appointed Vizir, or Chief Minister. The pen box was acquired in the mid-19th century by the great collector of Mughal hardstones, Colonel Charles Seton Guthrie, and sold by him to the Indian Museum, London, in 1868. In 1879, his collection was transferred with other parts of the Museum's collection to the South Kensington Museum, later renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- nephrite, gold, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, steel
- Dimensions
- Height 2 cm; Length 20.9 cm; Width 8.8 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- White nephrite jade, rubies, emeralds and diamonds set in gold.
- Place recorded
- Mughal empire
Identification
- Museum object name
- Pen box and utensils
- Museum object number
- 02549(IS)
- Museum system number
- O15498
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.