A Comparison of Kufic Plaster Inscriptions of the Phrase “In the Name of God” in Iran (With an Emphasis on Seljuk and Ilkhanid Periods)

 
 
 
 

Calligraphy in plaster molding has long been a unique platform for professional designers and decorative calligraphers due to the ease of molding the plaster and the longevity of the work. Since the origin of the Kufi alphabet used in plaster inscriptions is simpleKufi, it is generallybelieved that the common letters must be drawn alike. However, as exemplified in the phrase under study, the molded cornices have taken different approaches in shaping the characters. In this study of the Kufic inscriptions molded in architectural designs, ten examples with similar words have been selected to examine the form and quality of the variations of the same phrase.
Islamic architecture has systematically evolved over aperiod of300years from the Seljuk to the Ilkhanid. This period is remarkable for numerous plaster inscriptions and molded cornices in its monuments, most which are in Kufi. Focusing on kufic inscription, the main research question of this study is how the designers and calligraphers managed to create variations on a common phrase.The basic assumption is that the calligraphers have created unique shapes of the same letters all derived from simple Kufi. Accordingly, based on the analysis of the letters in the selected examples, it is concluded that the calligraphers have treated similar words and phrases with an approach involving unique character design.