Inkwells occupy a central place in the history of the arts of writing and the transmission of knowledge in Islamic civilizations. Beyond their practical function, these objects bear witness to the artistic refinement and the importance attached to calligraphy, education, and scholarly culture.
The Fondation ADLANIA’s collection of inkwells brings together pieces from different regions and periods, crafted in copper, brass, ceramic, and glass. Their shapes, geometric or floral decorations, and calligraphic inscriptions reflect the richness of the artisanal traditions of the Islamic world.
Through this selection, the Fondation ADLANIA seeks to highlight a heritage connected to writing, the transmission of knowledge, and the decorative arts, while contributing to the preservation and promotion of this cultural heritage.
OBJ 412
Green glazed ceramic inkwell with multiple compartments designed for writing purposes. Its simple and functional form reflects the artisanal traditions associated with calligraphy.
Estimated date: 18th–19th century
Geographical origin: Maghreb
OBJ 1199
Glazed ceramic Douaïa decorated with floral and geometric motifs in shades of blue, green, and yellow. Its refined decoration reflects the art of calligraphy and the decorative traditions of Islamic art.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Maghreb or al-Andalus
OBJ 458
Glazed ceramic inkwell decorated with a blue geometric motif inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its multiple compartments reflect the traditional practices associated with writing.
Estimated date: 18th–19th century
Geographical origin: Maghreb or al-Andalus
OBJ 411
Glazed ceramic inkwell decorated with geometric and vegetal motifs inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its multiple compartments reflect the traditional practices associated with writing.
Estimated date: 18th–19th century
Geographic origin: North Africa or al-Andalus
OBJ 1576
Brass inkwell resting on an openwork tray, adorned with polychrome floral motifs inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its refined decoration reflects the elegance of objects associated with writing and calligraphy.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Mughal India or the Near East
OBJ 1575
Cast brass inkwell resting on a circular tray. Its expressive form, inspired by a fantastical creature, reflects the refinement of writing implements in the decorative arts of the Islamic world.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Middle East or India
OBJ 409
Cast brass inkwell resting on a circular tray. Its expressive form, inspired by a fantastical creature, reflects the refinement of writing implements in the decorative arts of the Islamic world.
Estimated date: Late 19th – early 20th century
Geographical origin: Mughal India or the Near East
OBJ 110
Small glazed ceramic inkwell decorated with cobalt blue motifs inspired by the ceramic traditions of the Maghreb and Islamic Andalusia.
Estimated date: 19th – early 20th century
Geographical origin: Tunisia or Morocco
OBJ 60
A polychrome ceramic inkwell inspired by Islamic architecture, adorned with floral and geometric motifs in shades of blue and turquoise. It reflects the connection between writing, aesthetics, and spirituality.
Estimated date: Late 19th century
Geographical origin: Maghreb
OBJ 354
Turquoise-glazed ceramic inkwell featuring a central reservoir surrounded by several side compartments. Its distinctive color reflects the artisanal traditions of Islamic art associated with writing and calligraphy.
Estimated date: 18th–19th century
Geographical origin: North Africa or the Middle East
OBJ 9
Traditional douaïa (inkwell) in glazed ceramic, decorated with a polychrome design of scrolling vines and arabesques inspired by Islamic art. Its harmonious composition reflects the refinement of objects associated with writing and calligraphy.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Maghreb or the Middle East
OBJ 10
Circular glazed ceramic inkwell composed of several compartments arranged around a raised central element. Its hand-painted decoration is inspired by Islamic decorative arts.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: North Africa
Intellectual Property
All content available on this website, including but not limited to texts, photographs, manuscripts, images, illustrations, videos, digitized documents, logos, databases, graphic elements, and other materials, is protected under Swiss and international copyright and intellectual property laws.
Except with the prior written authorization of the ADLANIA Foundation or the relevant rights holders, any reproduction, representation, distribution, adaptation, or exploitation, whether in whole or in part, of this content, by any means or on any medium whatsoever, is prohibited.
The reproductions of the works and documents presented on this website are made available exclusively for purposes of preservation, research, scientific, cultural, and heritage enhancement.
Collections and Archives
The manuscripts, documents, photographs, heritage objects, works of art, and other collections presented on this website are owned by the ADLANIA Foundation or are reproduced with the authorization of their owners or rights holders.
The manuscripts, documents, photographs, heritage objects, works, and other collections presented on this website are owned by the ADLANIA Foundation or are reproduced with the authorization of their owners or rights holders.
Collection Photographs
The photographs of the manuscripts, objects, works of art, and other heritage items presented on this website were taken by photographer Abdou Diouri as part of his collaboration with the ADLANIA Foundation.
These photographs are protected by copyright.
Any reproduction, display, distribution, modification, or use, whether in whole or in part and in any form whatsoever, is prohibited without the prior written authorization of the ADLANIA Foundation and, where applicable, the relevant rights holders.
Privacy Policy
The ADLANIA Foundation is committed to protecting the personal data of visitors to this website. The information collected through contact forms, information requests, registrations, or orders is used exclusively to respond to users' inquiries, manage communications, process orders, and improve the services provided.
Personal data is neither sold, rented, nor disclosed to third parties, except where required by law or when necessary for the provision of a service requested by the user.
In accordance with applicable data protection legislation, each user has the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict the processing of, and, where applicable, object to the processing of their personal data.
Any request may be addressed to the ADLANIA Foundation using the contact details provided on the website.
Cookie Policy
This website uses cookies to ensure its proper functioning, enhance the browsing experience, and, where applicable, measure website traffic.
Strictly necessary cookies required for the operation of the website are placed automatically. Other categories of cookies, including those used for audience measurement or provided by third-party services, are only used after the user's consent has been obtained, where required by applicable law.
The user may, at any time, manage or withdraw their consent through their browser settings or via the cookie consent manager, where available.
Intellectual Property
All content available on this website, including but not limited to texts, photographs, manuscripts, images, illustrations, videos, digitized documents, logos, databases, graphic elements, and other materials, is protected under Swiss and international copyright and intellectual property laws.
Except with the prior written authorization of the ADLANIA Foundation or the relevant rights holders, any reproduction, representation, distribution, adaptation, or exploitation, whether in whole or in part, of this content, by any means or on any medium whatsoever, is prohibited.
The reproductions of the works and documents presented on this website are made available exclusively for purposes of preservation, research, scientific, cultural, and heritage enhancement.
Collections and Archives
The manuscripts, documents, photographs, heritage objects, works of art, and other collections presented on this website are owned by the ADLANIA Foundation or are reproduced with the authorization of their owners or rights holders.
The manuscripts, documents, photographs, heritage objects, works, and other collections presented on this website are owned by the ADLANIA Foundation or are reproduced with the authorization of their owners or rights holders.
Collection Photographs
The photographs of the manuscripts, objects, works of art, and other heritage items presented on this website were taken by photographer Abdou Diouri as part of his collaboration with the ADLANIA Foundation.
These photographs are protected by copyright.
Any reproduction, display, distribution, modification, or use, whether in whole or in part and in any form whatsoever, is prohibited without the prior written authorization of the ADLANIA Foundation and, where applicable, the relevant rights holders.
Privacy Policy
The ADLANIA Foundation is committed to protecting the personal data of visitors to this website. The information collected through contact forms, information requests, registrations, or orders is used exclusively to respond to users' inquiries, manage communications, process orders, and improve the services provided.
Personal data is neither sold, rented, nor disclosed to third parties, except where required by law or when necessary for the provision of a service requested by the user.
In accordance with applicable data protection legislation, each user has the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict the processing of, and, where applicable, object to the processing of their personal data.
Any request may be addressed to the ADLANIA Foundation using the contact details provided on the website.
Cookie Policy
This website uses cookies to ensure its proper functioning, enhance the browsing experience, and, where applicable, measure website traffic.
Strictly necessary cookies required for the operation of the website are placed automatically. Other categories of cookies, including those used for audience measurement or provided by third-party services, are only used after the user's consent has been obtained, where required by applicable law.
The user may, at any time, manage or withdraw their consent through their browser settings or via the cookie consent manager, where available.
