Calligraphic Panel

Location: Iran or India

Materials: ink, gold and opaque watercolour on paper; mounted on card and heavily varnished

Dimensions: 20 x 14.6cm (main panel)

Accession Number: CAL 178

Other Notes:

There are several examples of  this mihrab-shaped composition, although different Qur’anic verses and prayers are used. here, the text consists of a basmalah; surah al-Qalam (LXVIII), verses 51–2; the phrase ma sha’a Allah; and al-hamdu li’l-lah.

Script:

written in an ornamental, Kufic-like script

Bibliography:

N.F. Safwat, The Art of the Pen. Calligraphy of the 14th to 20th Centuries, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, volume V, London 1996, cat.125, pp.183.