Inkwell of Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ali, lid
Medium:Bronze (cast), copper and silver inlay, engraving
Geography: Herat, Afghanistan
Date: Late 12th century AD
Period: Mediaeval Period
Object number: 972.10.1.3
Gallery Location:Wirth Gallery of the Middle East
DescriptionThis inkwell has three portraits. The inscription on the cover names Ali son of Muhammad son of Ali, Inspector (mushrif) in charge of the royal household accounts. Because two of the portraits display tools associated with his trade (a surveying instrument to assess property value and tax, a pen and a purse), we believe that these portraits represent him. The third panel shows a person presenting the inkwell, perhaps as a gift.
