Pen Box (MET 17.190.236)
By Gabriella Moscardelli '24
Most ivory objects hold intimate stories of transformation, from secular to sacred, ending ultimately in their place as objects of desire for collectors. Valued as one of the most precious materials of medieval times, ivory served as a rare and malleable medium among craftsmen across the Mediterranean. This pen box’s place of origin can be identified in Almalfi, Italy, belonging to the Mansone family, a ducal power in the eleventh century. As both Christianity and Islam exalted the written word, this elegant box housed pens and other writing tools, demonstrating dedication to writing, education, and status. Ivory, as a soft material, made it very easy to create detailed designs for an ornate piece. These designs carved into the ivory evoke a sense of intricacy and delicacy in order to emphasize the importance of the written word and scripture.