Daily grace

Pen case

17th century, Turkey

wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ivory, tortoiseshell, ebony, and zinc

Ottoman craftsmen often used contrasting materials to enhance geometric patterns, as in the lid of this case that sets mother-of-pearl (which replaced ivory in importance during the 16th century) and tortoiseshell over metal foil. The case, used by the Ottoman court in the 17th century, is opened by a keyhole at one end and would have held reed pens, an inkwell, and a container for cotton paper.