Persian calligraphy scripts explained: nastaliq, shekasteh, naskh

What is Persian calligraphy?

Persian calligraphy (khoshnevisi) is the art of writing Persian in the Arabic-derived script with a reed pen (qalam). It developed several distinctive styles, and nastaliq — the 'bride of scripts' — became Iran's national calligraphic style.

The main scripts

• Nastaliq: flowing, balanced and sloping; developed in the 14th–15th centuries for Persian poetry
• Shekasteh nastaliq: a faster, 'broken' form with linked letters, used for letters and documents
• Naskh: clear and upright, used for Quran copies and books
• Thuluth: large, monumental script seen on mosque tilework
• Siyah-mashq: practice sheets that became an art form

Tools

Calligraphers use a cut reed pen, soot-based ink, and polished paper (ahar-mohreh). The pen is cut to exact proportions, and letters are measured in rhombic dots.

Famous masters

Mir Emad Hassani (Safavid period) is regarded as the great master of nastaliq. Mirza Gholamreza Esfahani is celebrated for siyah-mashq.

Collecting tips

Check whether a piece is an original or a print. Genuine work shows ink texture and slight pen variations. Ask for the calligrapher's name and the text being written.