Pen Case Lid

Pen case lid. Top has red background with red floral designs surrounded by borders of intricate gold scroll work. Sides and bottom are red with borders of gold scrollwork. Casket shaped lid which slides over the base from one end. Pen cases such as this were frequently treasured objects belonging to scribes. This box still contains its original reed pen, with its nib cut to specifications of the script for which it was last used. The built-in metal inkwell could be a later modification by the box's owner, one that required that the pen be shortened to fit inside the box..