Pen Box with Flowers, Birds and Animals

Not on view

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

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

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

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.