This volume puts together a first-of-a-kind handbook, and contains the most important termini technici, expressions, and techniques connected to the traditional art of Persian calligraphy, calligraphy as well as related arts, like illumination, historiated painting, book binding, etc. The content is based on thirty prominent classical Persian treatises, composed between twelfth and twentieth centuries.

In Exercising Authority and Representing Rule, András Barati examines twenty-two hitherto unpublished Persian royal decrees issued by various rulers of eighteenth-century Iran and Afghanistan kept at the Āstān-i Quds-i Rażawī in Mashhad. Considering the paucity of primary sources from this period due to relatively frequent political turmoils, he aims to improve this situation by offering the transcription and translation of these original documents as well as a commentary concerning the textual elements, external aspects, and content of the decrees. Making use of previously published documents, András Barati presents the first substantial study on post-Safavid eighteenth-century diplomatics and addresses several issues related to the political, economic, and administrative history of the region in the early modern period.

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Design Industries and Creative Culture (Design Decoded 2021) which has been organised by the College of Creative Arts (previously renown as Faculty of Art & Design), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kedah Branch. Design Decoded 2021 analysed and discussed how art, design and education may have an influence, create a societal difference, and contribute to the economy, as well as how we think, live, work and learn. The main topic of this proceeding was “Decrypt Your Visual Creativity” which consisted of 65 articles about design thinking, interior design, art and design management, industrial design, education in design creativity and innovation, sustainable art and design, visual communication, new media, graphic and digital media, visual culture, design practice, art history, art and creative community, and methodology in design creativity. We are truly thanking you to our four keynote speakers Emeritus Prof. Dr. T.W. Allan Whitfield, Prof. Dr. Khairul Aidil Azlin Abdul Rahman, Dr. Nurul ‘Ayn Ahmad Sayuti and Mr. Firdaus Khalid for their constant support and guidance. Finally, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all colleagues in the steering and organising committee for their cooperation in administering and organising the conference, as well as reviewers for their intellectual effort and dedication to reviewing papers.

Outstanding collection of 400 motifs: floral designs, geometrics, arabesques, mythical creatures, rosettes, paisley patterns, palmettes, medallions, border and marginal decorations, scrolls, curves, and hunting scenes.

This book is an exploratory adventure to defamiliarize calligraphy, especially Persian Nastaliq calligraphic letterforms, and to look beyond the tradition that has always considered calligraphy as pursuant to and subordinate to linguistic practices. Calligraphy can be considered a visual communicative system with different means of meaning-making or as a medium through which meaning is made and expression is conveyed via a complex grammar. This study looks at calligraphy as a systematic means in the field of visual communication, rather than as a one-dimensional and ad hoc means of providing visual beauty and aesthetic enjoyment. Revolving around different insights of multimodal social semiotics, the volume relies on the findings of a corpus study of Persian Nastaliq calligraphy. The research emphasizes the way in which letterforms, regardless of conventions in language, are applied as graphically meaningful forms that convey individual distinct meanings. This volume on Persian Nastaliq calligraphy will be inspirational to visual artists, designers, calligraphers, writers, linguists, and visual communicators. With an introduction to social semiotics, this work will be of interest to students and scholars interested in visual arts, media and communication, and semiotics.

Joint Winner of the 2007 British-Kuwait Friendship Society Prize for Middle Eastern StudiesThis stunning book is an important contribution to a key area of non-western art, being the first reference work on the art of beautiful writing in Arabic script.The extensive use of writing is a hallmark of Islamic civilization. Calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing, became one of the main methods of artistic expression from the seventh century to the present in almost all regions from the far Maghrib, or Islamic West, to India and beyond. Arabic script was adopted for other languages from Persian and Turkish to Kanembu and Malay. Sheila S. Blair's groundbreaking book explains this art form to modern readers and shows them how to identify, understand and appreciate its varied styles and modes. The book is designed to offer a standardized terminology for identifying and describing various styles of Islamic calligraphy and to help Westerners appreciate why calligraphy has long been so important in Islamic civilization.The argument is enhanced by the inclusion of more than 150 colour illustrations, as well as over a hundred black-and-white details that highlight the salient features of the individual scripts and hands. Examples are chosen from dated or datable examples with secure provenance, for the problem of forgeries and copies (both medieval and modern) is rampant. The illustrations are accompanied by detailed analyses telling the reader what to look for in determining both style and quality of script.This beautiful new book is an ideal reference for anyone with an interest in Islamic art.Key Features* Written by the world's leading expert on Islamic calligraphy* Includes c.150 colour illustrations* Comprehensive: covers the art of calligraphy throughout Islamic civilisation, from the 7thc. to the present* The first volume to explain this art form to modern readers, guiding them in the identification, understanding and appreciation of its varied style

Following the tradition and style of the acclaimed Index Islamicus, the editors have created this new Bibliography of Art and Architecture in the Islamic World. The editors have surveyed and annotated a wide range of books and articles from collected volumes and journals published in all European languages (except Turkish) between 1906 and 2011. This comprehensive bibliography is an indispensable tool for everyone involved in the study of material culture in Muslim societies.

A Little Book of Persian poetry presents an anthology of the treasured classics written by Rumi, Saadi and Hafez. Mystical and profound, these poems will infuse the heart and soul with hidden Sufi wisdom. Close your eyes and listen to the language of the heart! You know the majestic Simurgh bird got caught in this net… And what can I do? I’m only a small songbird. ~ Rumi “The Edge of the Roof”