A set of calligrapher's tools and pointer, Turkey, 18th/19th Century

consisting of five tools, including a pair of paper scissors, a mother-of-pearl makta, a penknife, a gold burnisher, and a pointer, the scissors with gilt decoration comprising floral designs, the makta (pen rest) with a carved seated lion to one end, the penknife with a marine ivory and coral handle, the burnisher with an ivory handle carved with leafy scrolls and an agate tip, the pointer composed of bone, coral and a mother-of-pearl faceted handle with calligraphic inscriptions 

All in general good condition, one of panels on pointer loose, slight cracks to handle of gold-burnisher, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

On the mother-of-pearl makta:

possibly reading:

ya hazrat-e mawlana sadiq/ ya hazrat-e mawlana majd al-din (?)

'O His Holiness our lord Sadiq! O His Holiness our lord Majd al-Din (?)!'

Stamped with the name 'Reza'

Elaborately decorated calligrapher's tools seem to have been popular in court circles. The use of exotic and semi-precious materials seems to have been favoured, notably ivory, coral, agate and tortoiseshell. Tools related to these are in the collection of the Topkapi Palace Museum (Atasoy 1992, pp.148-9).