1. In the name of Allah, A Bismillah
In the form of a bird appearing to drink

2. Iran, second half of the 19th century
Gulzar is defined by Safadi (1979) in Islamic Calligraphy as the technique of filling the area within the outlines of relatively large letters with various ornamental devices, including floral designs, geometric patterns, hunting scenes, portraits, small script, and other motifs. Gulzar is often used in composite calligraphy where it is also surrounded by other decorative units and calligraphic panels.

3. Zoomorphic Calligraphic Type
In zoomorphic calligraphy, the words are manipulated and structured into the shape of a human figure, a bird, an animal, or an object. Safadi notes that Thuluth, Naskh, and Nasta'liq scripts are extensively applied to create such calligraphic compositions.

4. Ottoman Turkey, Istanbul, 1845 AD
Tughra is a unique calligraphic device that is used as a royal seal. The nishanghi or tughrakesh is the only scribe specialized in writing Tughra. The emblems became quite ornate and were particularly favored by Ottoman officialdom.

5. Page from a manuscript of the Qur’an
Tunisia, probably Qairawan, early tenth century Gold and red ink on parchment dyed blue

6. Two leaves from a manuscript of the Qur’an
Abbasid caliphate, ninth to tenth century Ink and gold on parchment

7. Naskhi Script (18th Century)

8. Ta'liq Script
An Ottoman manuscript

9. By al-Qandusi, from his remarkable 12-volume Qur'an (completed 1849)
A Bismillah
By al-Qandusi, from his remarkable 12-volume Qur'an (completed 1849)

10. Thuluth Script
Collage. Arches surrounding inscriptions of thuluth script. Extract from the Dakhira of the Sharqawa

11. Kufic Lettering
Alternation and juxtapositioning of a supple, cursive style with rigid, angular kufic lettering. The combination of stylized floral ornamentation, geometric interlacing and the richness of the polychrome treatment highlight the individual words and invocations.

12. Andalusian maghribi script
Fragment of a page from the Qur'an, copied on colored silk.

13. Andalusian maghribi script
A typical example

14. Signature by 'Arif Hikmat
Sumbuli script
Signature by 'Arif Hikmat

15. Interwoven floral kufic script
The name of Allah.

16. A Bird
Bringing a message to the mystic Abdelqadar Jilali, known as the 'White Hawk'. Calligram in relief on an unidentifiable ground.

17. The double letter lam and alif
Maghribi script
The double letter lam and alif

18. With diacriticals in red, written on gazelle skin
Maghribi Kufic
With diacriticals in red, written on gazelle skin

19. The opening of the Surah Maryam
From al-Qandusi's Qur'an

20. The name of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
In mirror images, by Subail Anwar, Istanbul

21. A larger version of diwani.Composition by Muhammad 'izzat al-Karkuki
Jilli diwani
A larger version of diwani.Composition by Muhammad 'izzat al-Karkuki

22. Qotbi
Star on the threshold, 1984

23. Rashid Koraishi
Untitled

24. The name of Allah