Page 129 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent
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59. Jeweled rock-crystal and gold pen box, second half sixteenth century
(istanbul, Topkapi Sarayi Miizesi, 2/479)
ment on the left is covered and set with two cylindrical con- stones, some of these collars are rectangular or ovoid. In ad-
tainers; the lids of these containers are decorated with ruby- dition to vertical faceting, the rock crystal contains horizontal
centered blossoms, while the other flowers on the cover have fluting that counterbalances the verticality of the body and
emerald cores. On the right are two oblong sections. The di- relates it to the bands of rubies encircling the head and foot.
vision of the interior follows the traditional format of Islamic The gold circular head dips in the center and flares at the
pen boxes with cylindrical containers used for ink and sand, sides with a pair of extended spouts. One of the spouts has a
and the long rectangular units for pens and other writing lid, attached by a chain to another chain looped through the
implements. prominent ring rising in the center, which serves as the han-
A second matara in the Hazine of the Topkapi Palace is dle; the lid for the second spout is missing. Each side of the
made of rock crystal and fitted with a gold head and foot gold head is decorated with a central semicircular band exe-
(60). The octagonal rock-crystal body is decorated with recip- cuted in relief and embedded with rubies. The remaining
rocal ogival medallions formed by twisted gold wire and set areas are sprinkled with gold squares enveloping rubies and
with rubies and emeralds. The settings show a variation from occasional emeralds, with a ring of diamonds surrounding the
the types discussed above: the blossoms have striated petals large ruby in the core of the semicircular band. The surface is
and contain high square collars that enclose the gems, over- decorated with saz leaves and blossoms on a ring-matted
lapping their edges. Since the settings follow the shape of the ground. The same settings and goldwork appear on the oc-
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