My writing tools, including quills, reed pens (qalam ney), Chinese brushes, sign painting brush and assorted metal nibs (broad nib, copperplate, quill, wire brush, etc.). These are a sampling of the well-used tools of my daily life as a calligrapher. They are displayed on an antique writing desk from India from the time of the British Raj, which features multiple compartments and closes up as a convenient–if somewhat heavy by modern standards–box (purchased from a high up shelf in Doma’s old shop in Mussoorie, India, way back in 1978).