12022-06-16T12:45:59-07:00Brooke Hendershottb0a907cd0f989ee79e94592378a1545647719cfb394474plain2022-11-08T10:19:36-08:00Gabriella Moscardelli0066a2df86121a2798af64cc7ad9fcaa0b0382c4Ivory was introduced to southern Europe by the Muslims in the 10th century. Objects made from ivory began to be produced in Spanish and Italian workshops and exchanged throughout the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. Due to Italy's close proximity to Africa, it was easy to transport this material from its place of origin. Elephant ivory was imported from Africa making it an expensive commodity available as a deluxe material to wealthy clients. It is believed that this pen box was created between the 11th and 12th centuries, and purchased by the Mansone family, a ducal power throughout the Byzantine Empire.