So what exactly is a “qalamdan” anyway?
Catherine Baschet designed this iconic Hermès carré in 1990. Filled with intricate detail, her creation depicts several qalamdans, which are Persian boxes for storing pens.
Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Faqscl / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Photo courtesy Los Angeles County Museum of Art / Public domain
The qalamdan, or pen box, was considered a status symbol in Iran during the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time period Iran’s production of painted lacquered objects including the qalamdan gained tremendous popularity among the elite.
Flowers and birds were among some of the favorite themes and lacquer painters took great pride in their creations with individual styles, many times dating and signing their pieces. Emphasis on a lot of detail was paramount and even if a qalamdan lacked in color it certainly made up in detail by the careful shading of the flowers and vegetation.
Bachet meticulously recreated a collection of qalamdans, each more intricate than the last.
© Hermès is the exclusive property of HERMES OF PARIS, Inc., subsidiary of HERMES INTERNATIONAL
All content is the property of Carre de Paris© 2010-2025