Object class: Image-making equipment / Object type: ethnography / Materials: Nickel plate - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Object class Image-making equipment Object type ethnography Materials Nickel plate

Hearst Museum object titled Pen case, accession number 9-21929a,b, described as See: T-73 pict.This pen case is tucked into the sash at the front of the monk's or layman's robe. The ceremonial canteen (T-128) is then suspended by its cord from the scepter. Other monks would tuck a ritual scepter (T-30) into their sash rather than this type of pen case, and hang the canteen from that.This case is crafted from two heavy iron tubes, sealed at each end and fitted in the middle. A decorative floral pattern is carved on the surface. A leather thong holds the two parts of the case together. Bamboo or other quill pens are carried in the case. The bamboo pen is made from a single piece of bamboo, the end cut at an angle and then split and carved in such a manner as to form a small reservoir. This makes the pen rather fragile and in need of the strong, protective enclosure of the pen case.