A comprehensive textbook of the early Arabic Kufic script, written as a complete reference book for calligraphers, designers, and students of art history and the history of Arabic language and scripts. This beautiful and powerful script was derived from the earlier Hijazi Mashq style of Mecca and Medina, which was invented by early Muslim scribes to record the Quran. Today, the many historical manuscripts displayed in numerous museums around the world can attest to development and evolution of this remarkable and versatile script. Authored by master Iranian calligrapher, Mousavi Jazayeri, this book is the first book written in english that is solely dedicated to the learning and revival of the this fascinating historical script, which was the official script in the Islamic Near East for centuries before being replaced by the modern Naskh style. In this handbook, Mousavi Jazayeri who had discovered the lost art of cutting the qalam (pen) for early Kufic more than twenty years ago, explains with detailed, clear illustrations how to write early Kufic using a calligraphic pen and even a regular pen. He guides students patiently through the process involved in creating amazing, modern monograms. With clear, ample examples taken from the old Quranic manuscripts, art history students, font designers, and scholars of the history of the Arabic language and scripts can use this reference book to learn the key aspects of the early Kufic script as a writing system. Mr. Mousavi Jazayeri is joined by two co-authors, Perette E. Michelli, a multi-disciplinary historian of medieval and later art, and Saad D. Abulhab, a known Arabic type designer and independent scholar of the history of Arabic language and scripts. The two co-authors are members of the first international group dedicated to the study and revival of the early Kufic script, Kuficpedia, which was formed a few years ago around the historical achievements of Mr. Mousavi.
About the Author: Master calligrapher Seyed Mohammad Vahid Mousavi Jazayeri is an established Iranian calligrapher, researcher, graphic designer and expert in early Arabic Kufic script. Mousavi Jazayeri was awarded a Certificate in Excellence for his groundbreaking achievements, particularly his rediscovery of the lost art of cutting the qalam (pen) for early Kufic, more than twenty years ago. Born in 1969, Vahid holds a Bachelor of Art in Graphics. He has published extensively and held numerous workshops on reviving the early Quranic Kufic calligraphic style. Vahid started his career studying the Thulth and Naskh scripts in 1982 and after nearly ten years of training he began teaching in Tehran art schools from 1991. Within a year, he was producing significant work in two additional fields: historical calligraphy research in a range of media (ceramics, coins, plaster and stone, as well as manuscripts) and contemporary type design. The research and achievements of Mousavi Jazayeri brought together the first international group dedicated to the study and revival of the historic Kufic script: Kuficpedia.