Sea of Ink--Forest of Pens

David J. Roxburgh

ISBN 10: 0300278829 / ISBN 13: 9780300278828

Published by Yale University Press, US, 2025

About this Item

A spectacular study of calligraphy, the most esteemed form of visual and textual expression in the Islamic world, through a storied collection of Qur'an manuscripts   Spanning more than a millennium, from the seventh through the nineteenth century, Sea of Ink, Forest of Pens: The Art of the Qur'an in the Hossein Afshar Collection sheds new light on the production of deluxe Qur'an manuscripts across Islamic lands through sixty-four exemplary works. The vast majority of these pieces are published for the first time in this richly illustrated book, which opens with a historical essay tracing important developments and stylistic trends represented in the collection. Renowned Islamic art scholar David Roxburgh examines the evolution and variations of scripts, beginning with the earliest recordings and reflecting on subsequent transformations through key single folios, bifolios, and bound Qur'an manuscripts. He also delves into the art of Qur'anic illumination, and the publication includes a richly illustrated glossary to guide the reader.   Distributed for The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780300278828

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sea of Ink--Forest of Pens
• Publisher: Yale University Press, US
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300278829
• ISBN 13: 9780300278828
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 23.39W x 2.39H x 28.6D centimeters 23.39 centimeters width by 2.39 centimeters height by 28.6 centimeters depth

About this title

Synopsis

A spectacular study of calligraphy, the most esteemed form of visual and textual expression in the Islamic world, through a storied collection of Qur’an manuscripts
 
Spanning more than a millennium, from the seventh through the nineteenth century, Sea of Ink, Forest of Pens: The Art of the Qur’an in the Hossein Afshar Collection sheds new light on the production of deluxe Qur’an manuscripts across Islamic lands through sixty-four exemplary works. The vast majority of these pieces are published for the first time in this richly illustrated book, which opens with a historical essay tracing important developments and stylistic trends represented in the collection. Renowned Islamic art scholar David Roxburgh examines the evolution and variations of scripts, beginning with the earliest recordings and reflecting on subsequent transformations through key single folios, bifolios, and bound Qur’an manuscripts. He also delves into the art of Qur’anic illumination, and the publication includes a richly illustrated glossary to guide the reader.
 
Distributed for The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

About the Author

David Roxburgh is Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Professor of Islamic Art History, Harvard University.