12/22/2025
Carved from luminous nephrite jade and lavishly set with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, this Mughal pen box embodies the ceremonial gravity of the written word in the Mughal imperial court. Made in the second half of the 17th century, it comes from a moment when newly reopened trade routes through Kashmir brought prized Khotan jade back into royal workshops, allowing artisans to create objects of exceptional refinement.
Pen box with writing instruments, Nephrite jade set with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, c. 1650-1900,
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