Lacquer Works

With the invention of writing and the development of writing tools gradually pen-boxes were designed to keep the pens and as art works. There are no information on the exact date of the creation of the first pen-boxes, but available materials indicate that before the 16th century pen-boxes were made of steel and silver and were decorated with golden designs. In subsequent centuries up to the Safavid era pen-boxes were made of wood and metal and were decorated with golden or silver wires. These were rather heavy objects and so craftsmen tried to create lighter pen-boxes. So they started using lacquered materials around the time of the Teimurid dynasty - in the 17th century. The process involved the use of paper pulp or thin papers with the use of glues that were manufactured from plant sources, which yielded lighter pen-boxes. The finished product was not very attractive so the artists covered pen-boxes with colorful designs to make them worthy of the desks of rulers and master calligraphers and transcribers. The art of making pen-boxes reached its apex during the Qajar era. At that time master craftsmen in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz created pen-boxes which now probably no one can make anything similar to them. Some of the pen-boxes had special pots for inks, small spoons for mixing dry ink with water, knives for sharpening the pens and scissors. The collection of pen-boxes in the Malek National Museum include over 80 items form the Safavid and Qajar periods. Most of the pen-boxes are made with ivory, wood, paper, and form one of the richest collection in the entire country. After the reorganization of the museum a section will be devoted to lacquered pen-boxes and similar items.