CREATOR UNKNOWN.

Middle East; not before 1601. MS 007

This manuscript draws on the calligraphic teachings of two notable writers from Islamic history. The first is from calligrapher and illuminator Abu-Hasan Ali ibn Hilal al-Bawwab, colloquially known as al-Bawwab from Baghdad (d.1022). He is credited as one of the founders and masters of Arabic calligraphy, as he developed a system of proportional measurement using dots to measure the height and width of the letters known as al-Khatt al-Mansub (the well-proportioned script). While it is not yet confirmed, based upon the translation of the addendum posted in the rear cover, this manuscript may contain al-Bawwab’s poem on calligraphy called Raihet Ibn al-Bawwab (the Writings of Ibn al-Bawwab). The second is from the Turkish Ottoman biographer Abu’l-Kahyr Isam al-Din Ahmad b. Mustafa b. Khalil, known as Taskopruzade (1495-1561). The source used in this manuscript is from his encyclopedia called Miftah al-Sa’ada, the Key to Happiness which includes information on how to create fonts, beginning with the science of fonts based on the writing instrument.

Bibliography

Unknown. On the Creation on New Fonts. University of Oregon Special Collections and University Archives, MS 007. https://alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/3uoa1r/CP71269187620001451

Ahmad b. Mustafa (Taskopruzade). Miftah al-sa’ada wa misbah al-siyyada. 15th century.

Ed. Leaman, Oliver. “Taskopruzade” in The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Islamic Philosophy. Oxford University Press, 2010. Taşköprüzade - Oxford Reference (uoregon.edu)

Ed. Bloom, Jonathan M. and Blair, Sheila S. “Ibn al-Bawwab” in The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture. Oxford University Press, 2009. Ibn al-Bawwab - Oxford Reference (uoregon.edu)