A blue and white pottery scribes box, Persia, 17th century, of oblong form with rounded ends and separate lid, the white ground decorated in cobalt-blue, the body with a register of scrolling vine issuing small leaves and large lotus flowers, the lid with similar design within alternating bands of repeating triangle motifs filled with diagonal stipes, a band of stylized cloud-bands to sides, the interior with two cavities separated by a central raised section, with brownish firing stains to base, 23.7cm. long x 4.7cm. high ( VAT charged on the Hammer Price)Provenance: Property from an Important Private CollectionThe shape of this pen or writing box is based on earlier metal prototypes which originated in medieval Iran and later became popular in Egypt and Syria. The semi-circular compartment would have been used as the water pot (for mixing the ink and water), while the small container with a covered lid served as an inkwell. Compare also with another embellished blue and white pen box and cover made for the Ottoman market, sold in Christie's London, 10th October 2013, lot 133.Please refer to department for condition report