Meaning
Cut reed pen used for calligraphy; the angle of the cut shapes the stroke. The same word means chisel in metalwork.
Spelling and pronunciation
- Persian: قلم
- Transliteration: qalam
- English usage: Reed pen
Spellings vary between dealers, museums and regions. Usage notes are under review.
Used in these crafts
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.
Qalam-zani
The Iranian tradition of decorating copper, brass and silver vessels with small chisels struck by hammer, working the metal into line, ground and relief.