ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHIC MANUSCRIPT LEAF

ARABIC SCRIPT IN PINK/GILT INK ON DYED CRIMSON-RED LEATHER (OR VELLUM)
NINE LINES OF TEXT WITHIN A RULED RECTANGULAR BORDER

A MANUSCRIPT LEAF OF ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY, THE TEXT EXECUTED IN A FINE CURSIVE HAND IN PINK/GILT INK ON A DEEP CRIMSON-DYED GROUND, ENCLOSED WITHIN A RULED BORDER. THE OPENING LINE INVOKES THE BASMALA ("IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL"), WITH THE FOLLOWING LINES OF DEVOTIONAL TEXT. AN EVOCATIVE EXAMPLE OF ISLAMIC MANUSCRIPT ART, THE STRIKING CONTRAST OF PINK/GILT SCRIPT AGAINST THE DYED CRIMSON GROUND BEING A TECHNIQUE ASSOCIATED WITH FINE DEVOTIONAL AND COURTLY MANUSCRIPTS.