Islamic Calligraphy

Traces the history of calligraphy from its origins in pre-Islanic times, through its reform -- with th einvention of the strict rules which make it so disciplined an art - - and its periods of greating flowering, right up to the innovations of the twentieth century. As the illustrations clearly demonstrate, writing is not confined to the pen. Inscriptions appear virtually everywhere -- on furnitutre and textiles, on metalware and ceramics, and most strikingly of all, on buildings.