Writing box — Box, late 18th century

Writing box in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number IM.212-1921), dated late 18th century. The museum's brief description reads: Writing box or 'qalamdan' of carved ivory. The oblong box is slightly raised by flat foliate feet.. Museum description: Carved box in relief with ogival arches enclosing alterrnate animals and flowering plants, with half rosettes in the spandrels of the arches. The lid is carved in low relief with a figure of Krishna playing his flute under the kadama-tree. The museum records it as ivory, measuring Length 24.2 cm; Height 6 cm; Width 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.