Pounce for a radial calligraphic piece

Title
Pounce for a radial calligraphic piece
Year/Period
1856 CE
Region
Turkey
Dimension
Image size: L: 54.0,
x W: 50.8
Accession No.
1996-00185

This calligraphic piece has been outlined with tiny pin-pricks. It acts as a stencil. The calligraphy can be reproduced by putting this stencil (known in Turkish as 'kalip') over a sheet of paper and sprinkling it with charcoal or chalk powder. This technique – also used by western artists and known as pouncing - enabled calligraphers to produce calligraphies quickly. This kalip features a Qur’anic chapter written in thulth script. Radial calligraphy is frequently found in Ottoman mosques (cami) - decorating the walls or the middle of the dome.