Pen Box

Unknown

late 11th–early 12th century · Ivory; carved; copper alloy mounts · Islamic Art

Islam, Christianity, and Judaism exalted the written word, and this elegant box, created to house writing tools, would have had special meaning for its owner. The Latin inscription (Taurus, the son of Mansone) links the box with the Mansone family, a ducal power in Amalfi during the eleventh century.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 11th–early 12th century

Medium

Ivory; carved; copper alloy mounts

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917