Description:

Lot 125. A CALLIGRAPHIC COMPOSITION (LEVHA)
Ottoman Turkey, 19th/20th Century

This fine calligraphic composition is elegantly executed in black ink and illuminated pigments on paper. The central inscription, arranged in a striking tughra-like form, is written in bold thuluth script and begins with the invocation Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim (“In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”). The dense interlacing of letters within a vessel-shaped structure exemplifies the Ottoman mastery of ornamental calligraphy, where form and sacred meaning coexist in perfect harmony.

Surrounding the central motif is an illuminated border of deep lapis-blue cartouches and gold floral scrolls, enriched with accents of red and green. The outer band features finely drawn inscriptions in kufic and thuluth styles, completing the composition with a rhythmic balance of text and design.

This work exemplifies the refined Ottoman tradition of levha calligraphy, prized for devotional display in mosques, homes, and private libraries. Its craftsmanship and symmetry reflect the enduring spiritual and artistic ideals of the late Ottoman period.

Length x Width: 75 x 60cm

Folio: 58 x 43cm

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November 4, 2025 1:00 PM GMT
London, United Kingdom

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