Deadly Utility: Indo-Persian Scissors

kronckew · 3rd July 2016, 06:56 PM

- i blame browser/text message spell checkers.

anyway, neat instrument. wonder if it was for the female of the species for innocuous self protection.

Oliver Pinchot · 3rd July 2016, 07:37 PM

Nice acquisition, Charles!
This is Ottoman work from the first half of the 19th century.
It was typically carried as part of a calligrapher or scribe's kit.
Since many were itinerant, travelling from village to village to
ply their craft, such a combination of utility and protection makes
perfect sense.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 3rd July 2016, 08:08 PM

For a quick insight into Ottoman Arabian and Persian calligraphy equipment see http://calligraphyqalam.com/process/tools.html

We seldom hear of paper and its role in Islamic Caligraphy... I noted Quote" Paper making technologies are believed to have been introduced to the Islamic world through Turkish and Chinese papermakers captured at the Battle of Talas in 751. Instead of using bark from the mulberry tree, however, papermakers in the Islamic world resorted to pressing linen rags (Johannes Pedersen, The Arabic Book, trans. Geoffrey French, [Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984], 60-64). Unlike parchment (cured sheep or goat skin), paper could be made cheaply and in industrial quantities particularly after 794, when the first paper mill was established in Baghdad (Jonathan Bloom, Paper Before Print: the History and Impact of Paper in the Islamic World [New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001], 29 and 48). Also see Helen Loveday, Islamic Paper: A Study of the Ancient Craft (London: Archetype Publications, 2001)"Unquote.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 3rd July 2016, 08:47 PM

I wonder did scissors influence the design of the scissor style of Kattar Dagger?

CharlesS · 3rd July 2016, 09:55 PM

Oliver, thanks for your input.

Ibrahim, I was just about to ask Oliver if he had a picture reference to a calligrapher's kit, but you already have shown us a splendid one!

Thanks for adding so much to this thread guys!

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 3rd July 2016, 11:25 PM

Thank you Charles S. Certainly among the world experts in his field and particularly the Islamic sphere Oliver is the man to ask. I'm just a novice. Here below more scissors and a very nice Calligraphers box.

Battara · 3rd July 2016, 11:54 PM

Fascinating!

3rd July 2016, 07:37 PM	#2
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 462	Nice acquisition, Charles! This is Ottoman work from the first half of the 19th century. It was typically carried as part of a calligrapher or scribe's kit. Since many were itinerant, travelling from village to village to ply their craft, such a combination of utility and protection makes perfect sense. Last edited by Oliver Pinchot; 3rd July 2016 at 10:59 PM.

3rd July 2016, 08:08 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Tools of The Islamic Calligrapher. For a quick insight into Ottoman Arabian and Persian calligraphy equipment see http://calligraphyqalam.com/process/tools.html We seldom hear of paper and its role in Islamic Caligraphy... I noted Quote" Paper making technologies are believed to have been introduced to the Islamic world through Turkish and Chinese papermakers captured at the Battle of Talas in 751. Instead of using bark from the mulberry tree, however, papermakers in the Islamic world resorted to pressing linen rags (Johannes Pedersen, The Arabic Book, trans. Geoffrey French, [Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984], 60-64). Unlike parchment (cured sheep or goat skin), paper could be made cheaply and in industrial quantities particularly after 794, when the first paper mill was established in Baghdad (Jonathan Bloom, Paper Before Print: the History and Impact of Paper in the Islamic World [New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001], 29 and 48). Also see Helen Loveday, Islamic Paper: A Study of the Ancient Craft (London: Archetype Publications, 2001)"Unquote. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 3rd July 2016 at 08:35 PM.

3rd July 2016, 08:47 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I wonder did scissors influence the design of the scissor style of Kattar Dagger? Attached Images

3rd July 2016, 11:25 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Thank you Charles S. Certainly among the world experts in his field and particularly the Islamic sphere Oliver is the man to ask. I'm just a novice. Here below more scissors and a very nice Calligraphers box. Attached Images

3rd July 2016, 06:56 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	- i blame browser/text message spell checkers. anyway, neat instrument. wonder if it was for the female of the species for innocuous self protection.

3rd July 2016, 09:55 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Oliver, thanks for your input. Ibrahim, I was just about to ask Oliver if he had a picture reference to a calligrapher's kit, but you already have shown us a splendid one! Thanks for adding so much to this thread guys!

3rd July 2016, 11:54 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Fascinating!