Sofalineh

Sofalineh

The Position of Religious Calligraphy in the Carpet Weaving and Metalwork of the Safavid Period

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Department of Graphics, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Gilan University, Rasht, Iran.
Abstract
Traditional works of art in different periods, especially after the emergence of the rich culture of Islam in Iran, due to the emphasis of this religion on science and literacy and its positive approach in using the art of calligraphy, have greatly benefited from written decoration. Of course, the use of calligraphy is not only decorative, but it is used more to convey a message and show the position of an issue. The Safavid period is also one of the flourishing periods of traditional Iranian arts. The two arts of carpet weaving and metalwork are important arts in this period. In this article, which is organized with the aim of identifying the position of calligraphy in the metalwork works of the Safavid period, examples of metal objects and carpets that have calligraphy with Quranic content, including 4 items of carpet and 4 items of metal, have been examined in terms of theme and position. The line drawing has been studied in the composition of the work and the relationship between the two with the type and application of the sample. The content of the verses used in both types (carpet and metal) is mostly determined by the volume and practical importance of the verse. For this reason, the artist has used more small chapters of the 30th Qur'an, Ayah al-Kursi and short verses that contain a message. The method of collecting the contents of this article is the library method and its organization is done by relying on documents and in a descriptive-analytical and comparative way.

Research aims:
1. Understanding the type of Quranic subjects used in Safavid carpet weaving and metalwork.
2. Achieving the distinction and similarity of Quranic calligraphy used in Safavid carpet weaving and metalwork.

Research questions:
1. What are the Quranic themes hidden in the carpet and metal calligraphy of the Safavid era?
2. Have the applied Qur'anic themes on Safavid carpet and metalwork effected its use?
Keywords

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