Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Arabic holds a particular importance for Muslims, for whom it is the language of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, and expressed in writing in the Qur'an. The standardization of its script occurred over time, and its alphabet was adopted to write other languages of the Islamic world, like Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Urdu.

The Arabic script soon became the most distinctive feature of Islamic art. Calligraphy (beautiful writing) has a prominent place in all arts. Verses from the Qur'an or lines of poetry were frequently inscribed on buildings and objects. Calligraphy was also used to name the patron of a work, explain its function, or describe the society in which it was created.

Calligraphic panel, possibly from a cenotaph, with naskhi script (EA1991.74)

Casket lid with huntsmen and animals (EA1987.3)   End of a calligraphic tile panel written in naskhi script (EA1978.1517)   Tile with Qur'anic inscription (EAX.3208)

Square tile with holy names in square kufic script (EA2003.57)   Qalamdan, or pen box, with battle scene (EA1971.15)   Penknife from a qalamdan, or pen box (EA1966.58.f)

Penknife from a qalamdan, or pen box (EA1966.59.e)   Leaf-shaped spoon from a qalamdan, or pen box (EA1966.60.d)   Scissors from a qalamdan, or pen box (EA1966.60.e)

Reed pen from a qalamdan, or pen box (EA1992.90.d)   Bucket with floral and calligraphic decoration (EA1963.17)   Footed bowl inscribed with good wishes (EA1971.39)

Page from a dispersed muraqqa‘, or album, with decorative borders and calligraphy in nasta’liq script (EA2012.52)