A mid to late 19^th century Egyptian silver inkwell (divit), probably Cairo circa 1860-80

The pencase of rectangular shape with rounded terminals and chased foliate decoration, the upper section with a hinged lid, chased loop attachment and an ornate hinge, the inkwell of panelled barrel like form with chased foliate rims, the top with a hinged lid with linear sections, latch deficient. The underside of the inkwell with chased trailing foliage. Chased decoration throughout of nastaliq script. Marked with Ottoman Turkish Tughra, standard mark (800), and the lion passant.

Length – 29.8 cm / 11.75 inches

Weight – 473 grams / 15.21 ozt

The scarcely seen lion passant mark has been discussed as being brought in during the reign of Khedive Abbas Helmy II (1892-1914) as a second precious metals law was passed in addition to the Gashanjy Law (1847) passed during the reign of Khedive Abbas I. This second law was to regulate the marking process, and stipulated standards in gold and silver, although marking was not compulsory. The silver standards were set out as minimum standards as follows; 900/800/600/450. It is not known the actual year in which the law was enacted and brought into force. However, it is disscused in Kurkman, G. (1996), Ottoman Silver Marks, Istanbul: Mathusalem, p.61 that these marks are seen during the reign of Sultan Abdulmejid I (1839-61) and Abdulaziz (1861-76) so it is more likely that the lion was mark in use from 1847.

It is clear that the lion passant mark was not used after 1916, when the marking system was altered once again to become compulsory, replacing the lion with the cat for silver and the standing ibis for gold, the standards remaining the same with the abolishment of 450 standard, and the introduction of a date letter.