brush holder

brush holder , late 1800s, Ottoman Empire (1299–1923)

Where object was made: Ottoman Empire (present-day Türkiye)

Material/technique: silver; engraving

Dimensions:
Object Length (Length): 24 cm
Object Length (Length): 9 7/16 in

Credit line: Gift of Irma Lutz Ebnother in memory of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Lutz

Accession number: 1979.0063

Not on display

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Empire of Things

Small glass jars such as these were common throughout Italy, Greece, and Egypt and would have held cosmetic oils or precious unguent, which was an ointment applied to wounds, burns, and rashes.

Cabinet of Curiosities

This pen box and inkwell (Qalamdan) was carried by Ottoman scribes during the 19th century. This elite group, known as “men of the pen” (ehli kalem), recorded important government correspondence and financial records by carrying this type of Qalamdan.

Empire of Things