به اميد ديدار
Persian calligraphy by S. J. Thomas. www.palmstone.com
Passover, Easter and Iranian New Year
In our household we celebrate Passover, Easter and Iranian New Year – which this year are all happening at the same time! Blessings to everyone, no matter what traditions you follow. I should also mention that we were most fortunate to be part of a genuinely interfaith Passover Seder this year with participation by Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Bahais and others.
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.
“Boteh”
The pattern known in Persian as “boteh” or in Kashmir as “buta” is pervasive in Iranian designs since ancient times. From the 17th century the pattern became known in the west as the “Paisley” because of the connection between Kashmir designs that were then woven into wool shawls in Paisley, Scotland. Each year new designs were created in Kashmir, to this day a center of extremely complex weaving and embroidery skills. This pattern is by Stewart Thomas, who in addition to his calligraphy work creates several new “boteh” patterns every day.