An ormolu and silvered qalamdan inkstand comprising a pen tray and two ink cups, richly decorated on all sides with figures, birds and calligraphy (a reworking of medieval typology) in the Mamluk taste. 20th century. Height: 10cm - Length: 30cm. Depth: 11cm Purchased by the current owner directly from the heirs of the Goundafi (who died in 1926). The Caïd Goundafi was given this precious object when around sixty members of the tribe returned from the pilgrimage to Mecca at the very beginning of the 20th century. During their journey, these pilgrims bought a precious object in each of the countries they passed through and offered them to their Caïd on their return (including this inkwell). Caïd Goundafi was one of the powerful Caïds of the central High Atlas and was heavily involved in the pacification of the Deep South on behalf of the Sultan. However, he fell out of favour in the early 1920s and retired to Marrakech, where he died in 1926. The Caïd's former strongholds were devastated by the earthquake in autumn 2023.