The art of calligraphy on a dried leaf was practised widely in Ottoman Turkey. This was difficult & delicate work. The leaf was dried, & the tissue removed to leave the skeletal membrane, with gold ink applied over it.
Here are 22 exquisite examples, past & present
A thread…
Here are 22 exquisite examples, past & present
A thread…
1/ Calligraphy Leaf
Ottoman, Turkey
19th century
Golden calligraphy on a tree leaf. Many feature verses written from the Qu’ran, Hadith prayers and poetry.
@ChristiesInc
Ottoman, Turkey
19th century
Golden calligraphy on a tree leaf. Many feature verses written from the Qu’ran, Hadith prayers and poetry.
@ChristiesInc
2/ Calligraphy Leaf
A rare calligraphic composition in gold on a large natural leaf incorporating the hilyeh, the physical attributes of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) signed by Muhammad Helmi, a pupil of Mustafa Izzet Effendi.
A rare calligraphic composition in gold on a large natural leaf incorporating the hilyeh, the physical attributes of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) signed by Muhammad Helmi, a pupil of Mustafa Izzet Effendi.
3/ Calligraphy Leaf
Ottoman Turkey
19th century
Chestnut leaf inscribed with a Qur’anic verse from Surat al-Isra’ (“The Night Journey,” Q17:80), which reads: “And say, ‘Lord grant me a good entrance and a goodly exit, and sustain me with Your power.”
@AgaKhanMuseum
Ottoman Turkey
19th century
Chestnut leaf inscribed with a Qur’anic verse from Surat al-Isra’ (“The Night Journey,” Q17:80), which reads: “And say, ‘Lord grant me a good entrance and a goodly exit, and sustain me with Your power.”
@AgaKhanMuseum
4/ Calligraphy Leaf
Ottoman Turkey
19th century
Text of the Bismallah (‘In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’) is made to fit inside the natural shape of the leaf. The vertical strokes of the letters follow the line of the stem of the leaf
@KhaliliOnline
Ottoman Turkey
19th century
Text of the Bismallah (‘In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’) is made to fit inside the natural shape of the leaf. The vertical strokes of the letters follow the line of the stem of the leaf
@KhaliliOnline
5/ Calligraphy Leaf
Arabic composition gold calligraphy applied onto a natural tree leaf in gold.
Arabic composition gold calligraphy applied onto a natural tree leaf in gold.
6/ Calligraphy Leaf
Turkey, dated AH 1321/AD 1903 or later
Arabic composition applied on to a natural leaf in gold, the text in the form of a lion incorporating verses praising the Imam 'Ali by al-Sherif al-Murtaza
@bonhams1793
Turkey, dated AH 1321/AD 1903 or later
Arabic composition applied on to a natural leaf in gold, the text in the form of a lion incorporating verses praising the Imam 'Ali by al-Sherif al-Murtaza
@bonhams1793
7/ Calligraphy Leaf
Ottoman Turkey
20th century
To apply the calligraphy the stencil of the composition is placed behind the leaf and the gold ink with gum Arabic is applied.
@MIAQatar
Ottoman Turkey
20th century
To apply the calligraphy the stencil of the composition is placed behind the leaf and the gold ink with gum Arabic is applied.
@MIAQatar
8/ Calligraphy Leaf
In the form of a stork, the text comprising a Sufi verse, signed Abd al-Ghani and with date AH 1311/AD 1893
In the form of a stork, the text comprising a Sufi verse, signed Abd al-Ghani and with date AH 1311/AD 1893
9/ Calligraphy Leaf
Turkey, 20th Century
Arabic composition in gold on a natural leaf, the text comprising the Shahadah in intertwining thuluth script
@bonhams1793
Turkey, 20th Century
Arabic composition in gold on a natural leaf, the text comprising the Shahadah in intertwining thuluth script
@bonhams1793
10/ Calligraphy Leaf
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold, the text incorporating the Bismallah and invocations to God and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) within a stylised Sufi cap
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold, the text incorporating the Bismallah and invocations to God and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) within a stylised Sufi cap
11/ Calligraphy Leaf
The Bismallah in gold thuluth in a circular form
The Bismallah in gold thuluth in a circular form
12/ Calligraphy Leaf
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold, the text incorporating the words Allah, Angels, the Prophets, the Day of Judgment in the form of a sailing boat with seven oars, one for each of the Seven Sleepers
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold, the text incorporating the words Allah, Angels, the Prophets, the Day of Judgment in the form of a sailing boat with seven oars, one for each of the Seven Sleepers
13/ Calligraphy Leaf
The gilt and pierced leaf with applied calligraphic Quranic composition in thuluth script.
The gilt and pierced leaf with applied calligraphic Quranic composition in thuluth script.
14/ Calligraphy Leaf
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold.
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold.
15/ Calligraphy Leaf
Turkey, 20th century
An Arabic calligraphic composition applied onto a natural leaf in the shape of a pear incorporating the Bismallah written in thuluth script
Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore
Turkey, 20th century
An Arabic calligraphic composition applied onto a natural leaf in the shape of a pear incorporating the Bismallah written in thuluth script
Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore
16/ Calligraphy Leaf
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold. During this period, Ottoman calligraphers were interested in producing compositions which took various shapes.
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold. During this period, Ottoman calligraphers were interested in producing compositions which took various shapes.
17/ Calligraphy Leaf
The gilt and pierced leaf with applied calligraphic Quranic composition in thuluth script
The gilt and pierced leaf with applied calligraphic Quranic composition in thuluth script
18/ Calligraphy Leaf
Arabic composition applied in the shape of a vase onto a natural leaf, the text from the Qur'an, surat al-Ahzab, chapter XXXIII, verse 23
Arabic composition applied in the shape of a vase onto a natural leaf, the text from the Qur'an, surat al-Ahzab, chapter XXXIII, verse 23
19/ Calligraphy Leaf
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold.
Arabic composition applied onto a natural leaf in gold.
20/ Calligraphy Leaf
The gilt and pierced leaf with applied calligraphic Qur'anic composition in thuluth script
The gilt and pierced leaf with applied calligraphic Qur'anic composition in thuluth script
22/ Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum is home to an extensive collection of these alluring calligraphic compositions on leaves. According to the museum, this elevated art form rose to prominence particularly in Ottoman Turkey during the 19th century.
roots.gov.sg/Collection-Lan…
roots.gov.sg/Collection-Lan…
If you like this thread, check out our forthcoming Islamic Art & Culture Digital Festival, happening online - 28 & 29 November.
At the festival, hear from leading Arabic calligraphy artists, who will share their creative practice & expertise
Book tickets eventbrite.com/e/the-future-o…
At the festival, hear from leading Arabic calligraphy artists, who will share their creative practice & expertise
Book tickets eventbrite.com/e/the-future-o…
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