Abr-o-bad: Persian paper marbling

The process

• Thicken water with a size such as gum tragacanth
• Sprinkle pigments mixed with ox-gall so they spread
• Comb or blow the colours into patterns
• Lay paper on the surface and lift it off

Uses

Marbled papers frame calligraphy panels (qat'eh), line bookbindings and appear as independent artworks.

Every sheet is unique

Because the pattern is lifted from a floating surface, no two marbled sheets are identical — a quick way to spot digital prints, which repeat exactly.

A note on this guide

This is a general introduction written by the CraftPersia editorial team and has not yet been reviewed by a specialist. Workshop practice varies between towns and families; treat dates and figures as approximate and confirm details with makers, museums or published scholarship before relying on them.