Pen Box with Hadith Inscription

This penbox is very unusual in bearing such lavish and intricate decoration on the lid and the clasps, and being otherwise completely plain. Such an object would normally have decoration on all sides, including the interior and the bottom. The Arabic inscription in human-headed script is a hadith, or a quote ascribed to the Prophet Mohammed. This is also rare on Islamic metalwork, which usually bears benedictory phrases, verses from the Qur'an, dedications to rulers, or information about the artist. Notes from the Glory and Prosperity exhibition, Feb - June 2002.