Smithsonian Freer Gallery Sackler Gallery National Museum of Asian Art Gallery Guide Arts of the Islamic World
Introduction calligraphypage 1page 2page 3page 4Abstract DesignArts of the Book The Art of the Object

The first script associated with the Koran is generally known as kufic, after the southern Iraqi town of Kufa, one of the main centers where it first developed in the late eighth century. Written with a reed pen, kufic is generally recognizable by its short vertical and elongated horizontal strokes. Most Korans in kufic are written on parchment. The boldly articulated script was also used on objects, textiles, and architectural monuments.
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