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Nasta'liq calligraphy vs Persian lacquer painting

نستعلیق · لاکی‌کاری

Nasta'liq calligraphy: A hanging cursive script developed in Iran for Persian poetry, distinguished by its sloping baseline, sharply contrasted thick and thin strokes, and sweeping final letters. Persian lacquer painting: A decorative technique in which papier-mâché or wooden objects, such as boxes, mirror cases and pen boxes, are painted with fine miniature-style scenes or floral ornament and then sealed under multiple coats of clear lacquer varnish.

Side by side

Nasta'liq calligraphyPersian lacquer painting
Persian nameنستعلیقلاکی‌کاری
CategoryCalligraphy · ScriptPainting · Decorative lacquer
Materialsnatural-dyespaper, lacquer
Techniquestazhib-illuminationlacquer-painting
Regionsshiraz, isfahan, tabrizisfahan, shiraz
Periodstimurid, safavid, qajar, contemporarysafavid, qajar, pahlavi, contemporary
Motifseslimi-arabesquegol-o-morgh, eslimi-arabesque
Current vitalityLiving traditionAt risk

What they share

  • Regions: shiraz, isfahan
  • Motifs: eslimi-arabesque
  • Periods: safavid, qajar, contemporary

How to tell them apart

  • Materials such as natural-dyes point towards Nasta'liq calligraphy.
  • Materials such as paper, lacquer point towards Persian lacquer painting.
  • Nasta'liq calligraphy typically involves tazhib-illumination.
  • Persian lacquer painting typically involves lacquer-painting.
  • The stated place of making is a useful clue, but never proof on its own.

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Disclaimer

This comparison is educational and built from entries still under review. It cannot confirm what a particular object is.