Ottoman Divit / Qalamdan

This object is an Ottoman Divit (also known as a Qalamdan in Persian and Arabic), a portable writing set used by scribes, merchants, and officials in the Ottoman Empire. These were designed to be tucked into a belt (sash) so a writer could have their tools ready at all times.

Identification & Origin

• Origin: Ottoman Turkey.
• Age: There is a date mark on the bottom of the inkwell. The numerals are ١٢٩١ (1291 in the Islamic Hijri calendar). This corresponds to approximately 1874–1875 AD, placing it in the late 19th century.
• Materials: It is made of brass with intricate silver inlay. The decorative patterns feature “Seljuk knots” (geometric interlace) and Rumi (floral/arabesque) motifs.

The Writing & Inscriptions

The long inscription on the side is written in a graceful Arabic script. It is a very famous moral proverb often found on writing implements:

“سلامة الانسان في حفظ اللسان”

(Salāmat al-insān fī hifz al-lisān)

“The safety of man is in the guarding of the tongue.”

It is a bit of a poetic irony for a writing tool—reminding the user that while they have the power to write, they should be careful with their words.

The “Stylus” Objects (Reed Pens)

The wooden objects found inside are called Qalam (or Kalem in Turkish).

• What they are: They are pens carved from reeds (often sea reeds or bamboo).
• How they were used: The tips are cut at a precise angle to create a flat, chisel-like nib. This allowed calligraphers to create the varying thick and thin strokes characteristic of Arabic and Ottoman scripts.
• The Inkwell: The bulbous pot attached to the side would have been filled with raw silk or wool fibers (called lika) soaked in ink. This acted like a sponge, preventing the ink from spilling out when the set was carried in a belt and allowing the writer to “dip” the pen and take up just the right amount of ink.

Summary of Details

This is a beautiful example of a professional scribe’s toolkit. The hinges are remarkably sturdy for such a portable item, designed to survive daily use on the move.