AN OTTOMAN PARCEL-GILT SILVER SCRIBE'S PEN CASE AND INKWELL (DIVIT)
Ottoman Turkey, second half 19th century

The pen case of typical narrow, rectangular shape with rounded terminals embellished with chased foliate decoration, the upper section with a hinged lid, the ornate leaf-shaped hinge engraved with short hatched lines to the knuckles, the inkwell in front of the pen case of barrel-like shape with chased floral sprays and foliage around the edges, the sides of the pen case and inkwell finely engraved with cusped calligraphic cartouches bearing bold thuluth inscriptions against a vegetal scrolling ground, further floral sprays, split palmette trellis, strapwork and fretwork bands decorating the underside and outer borders, stamped with several sah marks and twice with a tughra mark with ayar 90 and possibly the name of Sultan Abdulaziz (r. 1861 - 1876), 23.5cm long, 402gr.