Rare Ottoman Divit Qalamdan Decorated With Pyramids And Sphinx At Giza, Egypt – 19th Century

Gilded bronze travel inkwell, 19th century.

Ottoman Divit Qalamdan of great beauty with finely engraved decorations of the Giza plateau in Egypt, with the famous great pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure, along with the Sphinx. The men in turban are represented behind the pyramids.

Inscription in Arabic on the other side, engraved birds on the edge and geometric patterns on the lapels. The inkwell and the pen holder both have hinged lids, one with a shell motif and the other with a flagship.

Dimensions:
Length: 23.8 cm
Width: 6 cm
Height: 4.8 cm

The Divit Qalamdan was used by calligraphers to store their brushes or their feathers in the long pen box, and dry ink in the square container. Their use was very frequent during travels, and they were thus often carried by scribes serving merchants and representatives of the government.