Calligraphic composition on a leaf

Title
Calligraphic composition on a leaf
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Turkey
Material
Dimension
Object size: H42.3 cm X W38.6 X Depth 2.0 cm
Accession No.
2005-01513
Credit Line
Collection of Asian Civilisations Museum

This leaf features a Qur’anic inscription written in thulth script, which reads, ‘Every thing perishes except His face’ referring to God. This is a very popular phrase from the Qur’an used in calligraphy. Producing calligraphic compositions on leaves is difficult and delicate work. The leaf has to be dried, and the tissue has to be removed slowly so as to leave the skeletal membrane. The stencil of the composition is placed behind the leaf and the gold ink with gum Arabic is applied.