Qit'a in Nasta'liq Script
Madad ‘Ali, probably Indian, active 19th century
Geography:
Made in India, Asia
Probably made in Tonk, Rajasthan, India, Asia
Date:
1859 (1277 Hijra)Medium:
Ink and gold on paperDimensions:
Image: 9 × 4 7/8 inches (22.9 × 12.4 cm) Sheet: 12 3/8 × 8 1/4 inches (31.4 × 21 cm)Curatorial Department:
South Asian ArtObject Location:
1878-200Credit Line:
The India Collection: Gift of the British Government, 1878
Made in India, Asia
Probably made in Tonk, Rajasthan, India, Asia
Date:
1859 (1277 Hijra)Medium:
Ink and gold on paperDimensions:
Image: 9 × 4 7/8 inches (22.9 × 12.4 cm) Sheet: 12 3/8 × 8 1/4 inches (31.4 × 21 cm)Curatorial Department:
South Asian ArtObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1878-200Credit Line:
The India Collection: Gift of the British Government, 1878
Label:
One of the most popular forms of secular Islamic calligraphy in India is the qit'a. In this format, four, or sometimes six, lines of Persian poetry are penned in an upward, diagonal direction on a vertically oriented sheet of paper. Here, the four major lines speak of the consequences of good and bad behavior. The lines are paired and aligned along their right edges (Persian, like Arabic, is read right to left). This layout results in four triangular zones suitable for illumination and additional writing. In this case, the calligrapher has filled the zones with text including his signature, a date, and pious declarations.
One of the most popular forms of secular Islamic calligraphy in India is the qit'a. In this format, four, or sometimes six, lines of Persian poetry are penned in an upward, diagonal direction on a vertically oriented sheet of paper. Here, the four major lines speak of the consequences of good and bad behavior. The lines are paired and aligned along their right edges (Persian, like Arabic, is read right to left). This layout results in four triangular zones suitable for illumination and additional writing. In this case, the calligrapher has filled the zones with text including his signature, a date, and pious declarations.
