From time to time I like to feature a wonderful work from the masters:
Saki, album miniature, 1609
Reza Abbasi, 1565-1635
Calligraphy Piece with Khatamkar Frame
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” written by calligrapher Stewart J. Thomas, in English around the border of each piece, and in half lines within each frame in Persian (Farsi). Background and edges are hand painted with gouache and metallic inks overlaid with a watercolour wash. The frames are khatamkar, an Iranian craft wherein bundles of different colours of wood and metal are sliced and painstakingly inlaid into intricate geometric patterns.
Paisley Designs “Boteh”
Another original design by Stewart J. Thomas. “I create these types of designs constantly, either in conjunction with calligraphy work–as borders or backgrounds–or as stand alone designs.” The embedded paisley designs, known as “boteh” in Persian, or “buta” in Kashmir, are a recurring motif in the arts of Iran and India.
Illuminated Border Design
Sketch for triangular portions of the Bandha Yoga illuminated border design by Stewart J. Thomas
Illuminated Border Design
Sketch of an element for the Bandha Yoga illuminated border design by Stewart J. Thomas
Calligraphy, Design and Illumination
The calligraphy in this example is obviously not Persian or Arabic, but the hand painted border design is in the Persian tradition so I’m including it here. The piece was commissioned for Ray Long’s Bandha Yoga series. The original was painted using a layer of metallic ink overlayed with transparent watercolor washes and opaque gouache. The calligraphy heading is in Devanagari script (Sanskrit) and the remaining calligraphy in a version of the Italic alphabet. All calligraphy, design and illumination by Stewart J. Thomas
Hand Painted Muslim Marriage Certificate
Hand painted Muslim marriage certificate in Arabic. The border and interior illumination is done in watercolour, gouache, and metallic inks. The calligraphy at the top is the traditional invocation, “In the name of G-d the compassionate, the merciful.”
Arabic and English Marriage Certificate
Arabic and English Marriage Certificate
This bilingual marriage certificate features Arabic and English calligraphy in side-by-side columns and a hand painted watercolour border inspired by Middle Eastern tile designs. Of note is the gold monogram created by intertwining the names of the newly wed couple. For more information on custom marriage certificates, visit palmstone.com
Interfaith Ketubah with Rumi Poetry
Interfaith Ketubah with Rumi Poetry
Detail of a marriage certificate featuring English, Persian (Farsi) and Hebrew calligraphy and a fine hand painted and illuminated border design. The Persian calligraphy features the poetry of Rumi. The Hebrew is the original text of “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” from the Song of Solomon. For information on ordering marriage certificates visit palmstone.com.