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Album of Calligraphy

MSS 28 | Ottoman Turkey | early 16th century, with some illumination in 19th-century style

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Artwork Details

Title: Album of Calligraphy

Date: early 16th century, with some illumination in 19th-century style

Location: Ottoman Turkey

Materials: ink, gold and opaque watercolor on paper

Dimensions: 3 folios; 13.9 x 19cm

Accession Number: MSS 28

Other Notes:

The transmission of calligraphic skills has always been important in Islamic societies. In Ottoman Turkey, one calligraphic tradition was paramount, namely that of Shaykh Hamdullah al-Amasi (1436–1520). It was re-invigorated in the late 17th century by Hafız ‘Osman. The two great calligraphers are linked by chains of pupils, traceable through their signed works and the certificates of proficiency which licensed them to practise, with very few gaps, right up to the late 19th century. Later calligraphers continued to turn to them as models: the production of a text worthy of one or the other counted among their highest aspirations.

The text of this album, which bears the signature of Shaykh Hamadullah, consists of traditions of the
Prophet Muhammad and proverbs, as well as a prayer
for calligraphers (folio 3a).

Script:

written in thulth and naskh scripts

Bibliography:

J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.278, p.243.

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