Writing Implements
Man, motifs and manuscripts make history.
Inscriptions. Prescriptions. Communications and commemoratives. Musical scores and manuscripts. Horoscopes and religious tracts… in India, writing has been known since the earliest times. A lot of ink has flowed in praise of the hands that crafted the prose and poetry of those early days. But, what of the hands that crafted the very instruments and ink-wells from whence the ink flowed? Who recalls those artistic giants that have gone unsung into the ashes of yesterdays!
The Museum is an edifice to these great men of India. Here you find workmanship that is unmatched in the world today. And a collection that’s unrivalled. From within these pen cases and ink-wells flowed the mainstream of life and letters- A golden way to recapture and remember India’s rich cultural heritage.
In this collection of ink-wells and pen-cases is seen sheer poetry-even before it is written! Almost all in forged or cast brass, these ink-wells are both simple and ornate, with animal and bird forms, and figures of the Gods. One imaginative exhibit is in the form of a chariot drawn by horses with God Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity as the charioteer.
In ancient India there was an oral tradition from Guru to disciples. The first written evidence is found in Sindhu culture (2500 B.C. to 1700 B.C.) on the Terracotta bricks. Later the Samrat Ashoka’s inscriptions (300 to 400 B.C.) throw light on Brahmi script. Some scholars opine that the Devnagari script is developed from the Brahmi script before the discovery of paper in India. The writing was done on Bhurja Patra with help of metal pin. A religious books & manuscripts one also made for the diffusion of religion. This is a very great utility of the art of writing.
In the collection of the museum there are 100-150 Ink-wells and Pen boxes which are of 18th to 19th Century A.D. belonging to Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Ink-wells are made of wood, Glass, Ivory, Terracotta, Copper and Brass.
Silver Ink-wells and Pens are used in the noble families. The brass and copper Ink-wells carries the birds and animals motifs. Glass Ink-wells are equipped with the stand. In case of Pen boxes there are separate space meant for Ink-well, Pens and Sand. The sand is used for drying the Ink.
Some of the Ink-wells are hung in the form of large vessels. There are hooks on Ink-wells for hanging purpose. The Clay Ink-wells of 18th Century A.D. are beautiful hailing from Nepal and China. There is a separate collection of Elephant shaped Ink-wells in the museum. The Ink-wells from Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat of 18th and 19th Century A.D.
Ivory Ink-wells and Pen boxes are displayed separately in the gallery of Ivory objects.
When not attached to the ink-well, the pen cases are oblong or cylindrical boxes of metal, ivory, wood and papier mache with perforations, inlaid ivory, lacquered and painted motifs-in an array of workmanship that leaves you lost for words.
Pen Boxes
Pen Box is a one of the useful equipment in the Art of writing. The Pen Boxes are made either of wood or glass or ivory or copper or brass material. In the Pen Boxes there are separate spaces meant for ink-wells, pen, sand and gum. Thin sand is used for drying the ink.
There are 50 artefacts in Pen Box. These are belonging of 18th to 20 th Century A.D. and collecting from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The paintings of male and female are painted on the outer part of the Pen Boxes of Rajasthan.
Ink-Wells
Another type of Ink-wells in Museum Collection is beautiful and marvellous. In the brass and copper Ink-wells there are Birds and Animals motives. Glass Ink-wells are equipped with a stand. Some of the Ink-wells are huge in the form of large vessel. There are hooks on the Ink-wells for hanging.
There is a separate presentation of Elephant shaped Ink-wells in the Museum. They are from
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan of 18th and 19th Century A.D.
In Ancient India, there was an oral tradition from Guru to Disciples. The first written evidence is found in Sindhu culture (2500 B.C. - 1700 B.C.) on the terracotta bricks. Later the Samrat Ashoka's inscription (400-300 B.C.) throws light on the Brahmi Script. Some scholars opine that the Devnagari Script is developed from Brahmi Script.
Before the discovery of paper in India, the writing was done on Bhoorja Patra with the help of pointed metal pin. Religious books and manuscripts were made for their purpose of diffusion of Religion.
In the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum collection there are about 100 Ink-wells in various metal and material, which are of 18th -19th century A.D. traceable in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan. Silver ink-wells and pens are used in the noble families.
The clay colourful ink-wells of 18th century A.D. are beautiful hailing from Nepal and China.
Ivory Writing Material
In Ancient India, there was an oral tradition from Guru to Disciples. The first written evidence is found in Sindhu culture (2500 B.C. - 1700 B.C.) on the terracotta bricks. Later the Samrat Ashoka's inscription (400-300 B.C.) throws light on the Brahmi Script. Some scholars opine that the Devnagari Script is developed from Brahmi Script.
Before the discovery of paper in India, the writing was done on Bhoorja Patra with the help of pointed metal pin. Religious books and manuscripts were made for the purpose of diffusion of Religion. This is a very great utility of the art of writing.
The art of Ivory became more famous during last few centuries, especially in Mughal and British Period. There is no doubt that the rich ivory objects are signs of richness laden with aesthecity.
In the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum Collection, there are many ivory writing materials. Some of them are displayed in the Ivory Gallery. Pen Boxes of Ivory and Ivory inlay, Pen Box in shape of Sugarcane, Ruling Stick, Ivory Ink-pot, Pens, Scissor, Knife, Penknife and Paper cutter are the important and marvellous material.
All these objects are of 18th and 19th Century A.D. (Maratha and British Period) and belonging to Maharashtra and South India.