Pen cases hold an essential place in the history of the arts of writing and the transmission of knowledge throughout Islamic civilizations. Far more than simple utilitarian objects, they reflect the refinement of traditional craftsmanship and the importance attached to education, calligraphy, and scholarly culture.
Used to store qalams (reed pens), small penknives for trimming the nibs, and sometimes ink, these objects display a remarkable diversity of shapes, materials, and decorative styles. Crafted from wood, copper, brass, or engraved metal, many are adorned with geometric, floral, or calligraphic motifs inspired by Islamic decorative arts.
Through this selection, the ADLANIA Foundation seeks to highlight a heritage closely linked to manuscript writing, the arts of the book, and the transmission of knowledge, while contributing to the preservation and promotion of this rich cultural legacy.
OBJ 319
A wooden pen case finely carved with repeating geometric motifs inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its understated decoration reflects the refinement of objects associated with writing and the arts of the book.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographic Origin: North Africa or the Near East
OBJ 53
A pen case adorned with calligraphic inscriptions and geometric motifs inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its refined decoration reflects the rich traditions of writing and calligraphy.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Ottoman Empire
OBJ 1534
Brass pen case decorated with calligraphic inscriptions and geometric motifs inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its refined ornamentation reflects the rich traditions associated with writing and calligraphy.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographic origin: Near East
OBJ 32
A pen case decorated with a painted scene depicting horsemen set against an architectural landscape. Its refined ornamentation, combined with geometric motifs, reflects the close relationship between the decorative arts and the traditions of writing.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Persia or Mughal India
OBJ 311
Brass pen case consisting of an elongated holder with an integrated inkwell attached to one side. Its openwork decoration and slender design reflect the refinement of objects associated with writing and calligraphy.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: India
OBJ 1588
Pen case decorated with an openwork calligraphic inscription featuring the supplication of the Prophet Yūnus (Jonah): “There is no deity except You. Glory be to You! Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Anbiyā’, 21:87). Its decoration reflects the refinement of the art of calligraphy in the Islamic tradition.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographic origin: Ottoman Empire or Persia
OBJ 1050
A metal pen case fitted with a side-mounted inkwell, decorated with engraved motifs inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its refined simplicity reflects the traditions associated with writing and calligraphy.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Ottoman Empire
OBJ 3209
A finely crafted pen case decorated with repeating geometric patterns inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its elegant composition reflects the refinement of objects associated with the art of writing.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Syria
OBJ 2370
Pen case decorated with Arabic calligraphic inscriptions combined with stylized geometric and vegetal motifs. The overall design evokes the scholarly traditions and the arts of the book in the Islamic world.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographic origin: Near East
OBJ 2365
A pen case adorned with Arabic calligraphic inscriptions and geometric motifs inspired by Islamic decorative arts. The refinement of its decoration reflects the care devoted to objects used in scholarly circles and the traditions of manuscript writing.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Ottoman Empire
OBJ 1030
A lacquered wooden pen case decorated with floral motifs and painted figurative scenes. Its refined ornamentation reflects the artistic traditions associated with the arts of the book and writing.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Persia or Central Asia
OBJ 130
A finely engraved brass pen case decorated with floral and geometric motifs inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its ornamentation reflects the refinement of objects associated with writing and calligraphy.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographic origin: Ottoman Empire or the Near East
OBJ 1551
A finely crafted pen case decorated with repeating geometric patterns inspired by Islamic decorative arts. Its elegant composition reflects the refinement of objects associated with the art of writing.
Estimated date: 19th century
Geographical origin: Syria
Intellectual Property
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
