Pen Box with Portrait Medallions on Floral Ground 1787 - 1788

Curator: This is a pen box crafted by Muhammad Sadiq, an artist who lived from 1715 to 1805. It features portrait medallions set against a floral ground. Editor: The composition is really striking. The dark, rich tones and the intricate floral details give it a sense of opulence, almost jewel-like. Curator: These pen boxes served as status symbols. In a society where calligraphy was highly valued, owning such an object spoke volumes about your education and standing. Editor: The artist’s use of symmetry is so pleasing. The medallions, framed by those stylized blossoms, create a rhythmic pattern that guides the eye. Curator: Absolutely. And consider the cultural context! This object offered a discreet way to signal one's learnedness and refined taste within the social milieu of the time. Editor: The portraits themselves are fascinating. The delicate brushwork and the subtle shading really bring the figures to life, don’t they? Curator: Indeed, each brushstroke tells a story about the values and aspirations of the elite class. Editor: I find myself drawn to the interplay between form and function here. It’s a testament to the power of design to elevate the everyday.