Islamic calligraphy

Contents

Part I. Introduction. Arabic script : its role and principles -- Materials. Part II. The development of Arabic script in early Islamic times. The standardization of Arabic script -- Early manuscripts of the Koran. Part III. The pre-eminence of round scripts in the early middle period. The adoption of round scripts -- the proliferation of round scripts. Part IV. The emergence of regional styles in the later middle period. Calligraphy in Iran and its environs under the Mongols and Turkomans -- Rectilinear and curvilinear scripts in Egypt and Syria under the Mamluks -- Other styles and centers. Part V. Dynastic styles in the age of empires. The Safavids, the Qajars, and their contemporaries in Iran and Central Asia -- The Ottomans in Anatolia, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean -- Other styles and centers. Part VI. The many faces of Islamic calligraphy in modern times -- From traditional styles to graphic design and calligraphic art.