Arabic scripts developed over time and by the 13th century 6 scripts (الأقلام الستة) became the most prominent for a variety of reasons: thuluth, rayḥān, muḥaqaq, naskh, tawqīʿ and riqʿa. These scripts were formalised by a calligrapher known as Yāqūt al-Mustaʻṣimī in the early 13th century. This example is known as a kara-lamah which is Turkish for ‘black writing’. It is a practice sheet and in this instance it is written in the hand of Yāqūt by an unknown, probably 19th century calligrapher. The calligrapher would practice her/his penmanship to perfect it but also to try different nibs of his qalām, or reed pen. It is interesting to note that calligraphers were in want of ensuring secrecy of their trade, so almost all calligraphers would break their nibs after having completed a project.

This image comes from the Islamic Studies calligraphy collection. The calligraphy collection maintains some 200 specimens in Arabic, Persian and Ottoman Turkish. This example is a kara-lamah in the hand of the eminent calligrapher, and former librarian Yāqūt al-Mustaʻṣimī (ca. 618-98 Hijri/ca. 1221-98 A.D.).  Yāqūt’s “nisba was derived from his master, the last ʿAbbāsid caliph in Bag̲h̲dād, al-Mustaʿṣim [q.v.], who brought him up and had him educated.” (Encyclopaedia of Islam, v. 2)

Yāqūt is one of the most influential calligraphers along with other prominent figures such as Ibn al-Bawwab and Ibn Muqla.

RBD AC24 located in Rare Books and Special Collections

Further information about Yāqūt al-Mustaʻṣimī:

Munajjid, Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn. 1985. Yāqūt al-Mustaʻṣimī. Bayrūt: Dār al-Kitāb al-Jadīd. (Call no. NK3633 Y3 M8 1985)

Canby, Sheila R.. “Yāḳūt al-Mustaʿṣimī.” Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition. Brill Online, 2012. Reference. McGill University. 02 December 2012 <http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-2/yakut-al-mustasimi-SIM_7972>