Pen Box with Elderly Saints 1856 - 1857

Curator: At first glance, it seems like an oddity, doesn’t it? Almost like something unearthed from a forgotten craftsperson’s workshop. Editor: I'm immediately struck by the material – the polished sheen and golden tones. This is a pen box attributed to Najaf 'Ali, now residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It seems almost reverent, but I am curious about whose labor was involved in its making. Curator: Absolutely. The scenes are beautifully rendered, depicting elderly saints in what looks like moments of quiet contemplation or perhaps study. Who would have commissioned this, and how did the choice of these figures speak to their identity or beliefs? Editor: The box's purpose adds a layer, too. It elevates the act of writing and the tools required. Were such boxes common luxury items, or did this one hold specific significance for its owner, perhaps signifying not just affluence but piety and an engagement with religious texts? Curator: The saints represented here seem more about conveying status and values than any form of actual advocacy, don't they? And it’s interesting to consider how such imagery might have reinforced social hierarchies. Editor: Precisely. I find myself considering how this box – seemingly small and self-contained – opens up a much larger dialogue about the intertwined relationships between art, labor, spirituality, and social power. Curator: It makes you realize how much history and intention can be packed into even the most unassuming objects. Editor: Indeed. It’s a testament to the enduring power of objects to tell stories and challenge our assumptions.