“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.