Hüsn-i Hat (Calligraphy)

Basmala is the Islamic Phrase meaning ‘in the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful’.

It is a belief that if Basmala is written 35 times on a piece of paper and hung it on a wall, it protects from evil eye, devil, and jinn as well as increases wealth and earnings.

Initially, the calligrapher (who is unknown) wrote this Hilye on the cardboard and the illuminator, Sema Yurtseven, has uniquely designed and applied this harmonious and coherent illumination art. In the original artwork, real gold is used for the yellow parts you see here.

Ayat-al Kursi is regarded as one of the most powerful ayahs in the Quran. It is strongly believed that when it is recited, it protects you, your home and your family. Its inscription is hung to protect the house from theft.

Initially, the calligrapher (who is unknown) wrote this Hilye on the cardboard and the illuminator, Sema Yurtseven, has uniquely designed and applied this harmonious and coherent illumination art. In the original artwork, real gold is used for the yellow parts you see here.

This piece combines two different branches of traditional Turkish arts, illumination and calligraphy, and reflects a collaborative effort between two master artists. Master calligrapher Sahof Almustafa’s calligraphic text reads ‘’Er-rızku a’l Allah’’ (the Arabic for: Allah is the One who determines our rizq or sustenance). It is a common phrase used in Hüsn-i Hat that is usually written on a plaque and displayed, especially in workplaces and shops, as a continuous prayer for sustenance.

Artist Gülcan Acar used the art of illumination for its intended purpose, framing and decorating the calligraphic writing with the zencerek pattern (braided ribbon / chain pattern). She created an original frame-like pattern that highlights the text by combining different motifs and stylized flowers. These patterns, which are drawn in geometrical order, are intended to represent strips of the same thickness that appear as though they are knitted. The artist has also used the traditional Tezhip technique with the Rumi pattern, which is one of the most popular motifs in Tezhip art.

The calligraphy in the artwork is called as ‘Musenna Calligraphy’. Musenna means ‘two parts or two folded’. This style of calligraphy is also called as mirror calligraphy. This artwork is a great example of a symmetrically arranged calligraphy.

Hilye-i şerîf or hilye-i nebî is an ornamental art developed by Ottoman calligraphers in the 17th century. It includes Qur’anic verses and Prophet Hz. Muhammad’s a description of the physical and moral characteristics. The four circular panels contain the names of Hz. Abu Bakr, Hz. Omar, Hz. Ali and Hz. Uthman.

Initially, the calligrapher (who is unknown) wrote this Hilye on the cardboard and the illuminator, Sema Yurtseven, has uniquely designed and applied this harmonious and coherent illumination art. In the original artwork, real gold is used for the yellow parts you see here.

Huve’l Baki means “Allah is everlasting”. It is one of his 99 names according to the Islamic faith. Huve’l Baqi is usually written on tombstones.

Initially, the calligrapher (who is unknown) wrote this Hilye on the cardboard and the illuminator, Sema Yurtseven, has uniquely designed and applied this harmonious and coherent illumination art. In the original artwork, real gold is used for the yellow parts you see here.

Meem (Mim) is the 24th letter of the Arabic alphabet and equivalent to the letter ‘M’ in Latin alphabet. It is believed that it has many secrets in it. It is the first letter of Prophet Hz. Muhammad.

Initially, the calligrapher (who is unknown) wrote this Meem on the cardboard and the illuminator, Sema Yurtseven, has uniquely designed and applied this harmonious and coherent illumination art. In the original artwork, real gold is used for the yellow parts you see here.

Initially, the calligrapher, Fuat Basar, wrote this Allah on the cardboard and the illuminator, Sema Yurtseven, has uniquely designed and applied this harmonious and coherent illumination art. In the original artwork, real gold is used for the yellow parts you see here.