Kufic

クーフィー体 / 8th century onward / Style / Calligraphic Traditions

Keeps the uprights short and draws the horizontals long, massing letters of straight strokes and right angles into a band of even height.

At a glance

Cutting an inscription into a wall or a vessel as a band
Using the angular letterforms as figure, for titling and marks meant to be read from a distance

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Detailed guidance and sourcesProduction rules, reference works, comparisons, research and citation formats

Type: Fix the ratio of upright to horizontal first, and turn every corner at a right angle
Composition: Align the top and the foot of the line, space the uprights evenly, and run the letters as a band
Material: Cut into stone, brick and tile, and on parchment hold the stroke to an even weight with the reed pen
Caution: Copying only the right angles while breaking the joins between letters leaves an ornamental band that no longer reads as a word.
Further study: Ibn Muqla's proportional theory / the Six Scripts / the tughra and official documents

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