Classic Persian pen boxes are drawer type (I would post some photos but I am now in Persia and travelling around) and made of lacquered wood.
How does yours open?
The script is either Persian or Arabic, but that was also used in the Mughal India. Yet, I don' t know exactly why, but yours doesn't make me think about India. Maybe Caucasus area?!
Anyhow, it is a very beautiful piece but not very old (20th century at best).