A SILVER PEN CASE (DIVIT)

SIGNED 'MUHAMMAD' (MEHMED), OTTOMAN TURKEY, PERIOD OF SULTAN MAHMUD I (R. 1730-1754)

Details

A SILVER PEN CASE (DIVIT)
SIGNED 'MUHAMMAD' (MEHMED), OTTOMAN TURKEY, PERIOD OF SULTAN MAHMUD I (R. 1730-1754)
The rectangular section pencase with pronounced rounded terminals, one hinged, each engraved with scrolling floral vine, the barrel-shaped truncated rectangular inkwell with hinged cover and small turning latch, the interior with elegant inscription, the base and corners engraved with similar floral designs, base of inkwell and pencase both marked with the tughra of Mahmud I, maker's stamp
13 ¼in. (33.5cm.) long

Engraved

Under the inkwell's lid: ya miftah al-abwab iftah lana khayr al-bab ('O Opener of doors, open to us the best door')

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Lot Essay

This stamp of the maker 'Mehmed' is well attested during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I (Kurkman, 1996,p.106).

The silversmith responsible for our pencase is an artisan named Mehmet. His maker’s mark is recorded on works produced during the reigns of Sultans Ahmed III (r. 1703-30) and Mahmud I (r. 1730-54) A similar divit to the present lot, also with the same maker’s mark and with the same calligraphic inscription under the lid of the inkwell is published in illustrated in Kurkman, 1996, p.75.

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