Islamic Calligraphy

Sheila Blair

Published by Edinburgh University Press 2006

Islamic Calligraphy

Sheila Blair

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781474464475

Overview
Contents

About this book

Joint Winner of the 2007 British-Kuwait Friendship Society Prize for Middle Eastern Studies

Winner of 2008 World Prize for Book of the Year by the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance

Selected as a 2007 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title

This stunning book is an important contribution to a key area of non-western art, being the first reference work on the art of beautiful writing in Arabic script.

The extensive use of writing is a hallmark of Islamic civilization. Calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing, became one of the main methods of artistic expression from the seventh century to the present in almost all regions from the far Maghrib, or Islamic West, to India and beyond. Arabic script was adopted for other languages from Persian and Turkish to Kanembu and Malay. Sheila S. Blair's groundbreaking book explains this art form to modern readers and shows them how to identify, understand and appreciate its varied styles and modes. The book is designed to offer a standardized terminology for identifying and describing various styles of Islamic calligraphy and to help Westerners appreciate why calligraphy has long been so important in Islamic civilization.

The argument is enhanced by the inclusion of more than 150 colour illustrations, as well as over a hundred black-and-white details that highlight the salient features of the individual scripts and hands. Examples are chosen from dated or datable examples with secure provenance, for the problem of forgeries and copies (both medieval and modern) is rampant. The illustrations are accompanied by detailed analyses telling the reader what to look for in determining both style and quality of script.

This beautiful new book is an ideal reference for anyone with an interest in Islamic art.

Key Features:

Written by the world's leading expert on Islamic calligraphy
Includes c.150 colour illustrations
Comprehensive: covers the art of calligraphy throughout Isla

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Figures Publicly Available Download PDF	viii
Abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	xix
Glossary Publicly Available Download PDF	xx
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	xxv
Part I: Introduction
Chapter One. Arabic Script: Its Role and Principles Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	3
Chapter Two. Materials Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	41
Part II: The Development of Arabic Script in Early Islamic Times
Chapter Three. The Standardization of Arabic Script Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	77
Chapter Four. Early Manuscripts of the Koran Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	101
Part III: The Pre-eminence of Round Scripts in the Early Middle Period
Chapter Five. The Adoption of Round Scripts Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	143
Chapter Six. The Proliferation of Round Scripts Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	195
Part IV: The Emergence of Regional Styles in the Later Middle Period
Chapter Seven. Calligraphy in Iran and its Environs under the Mongols and Turkomans Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	241
Chapter Eight. Rectilinear and Curvilinear Scripts in Egypt and Syria under the Mamluks Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	316
Chapter Nine. Other Styles and Centers Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	365
Part V: Dynastic Styles in the Age of Empires
Chapter Ten. The Safavids, the Qajars, and their Contemporaries in Iran and Central Asia Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	417
Chapter Eleven. The Ottomans in Anatolia, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	476
Chapter Twelve. Other Styles and Centers Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	534
Part VI: The Many Faces of Islamic Calligraphy in Modern Times
Chapter Thirteen. From Traditional Styles to Graphic Design and Calligraphic Art Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	589
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	628
Copyright Acknowledgments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	659
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	665

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 736
Illustrations
- Other: 100 B/W illustrations 150 colour illustrations
Keywords: Islamic Studies

eBook

Published: May 15, 2006
ISBN: 9781474464475