Notebook Paperblanks Safavid Art 13 x 18 cm 176 lined pages (9781439744475)

More about this design:

• Source: book cover with filigree lacquer finish
• Era: 17th century.
• Region: Persia (Iran)

It is believed that the era of the Safavid dynasty became the Golden Age of Islamic culture. The painting and creative methods of that time are deservedly revered to this day. This Safavid-inspired design features symmetry, a pentagonal flap clasp, and filigree patterns that are characteristic of this bookbinding tradition.

Our Safavid Binding Art pattern depicts a filigree hand-crafted leather pattern adorned with a variety of decorative motifs. It retains the sophistication and distinctive style of the Golden Age of Islamic culture even in a modern context.

Persian artistic ornaments of the Safavid era, distinguished by the splendor of their decoration, represented the culmination of decorative book art. These bindings often featured features such as medallions centered on the cover, quadrants at the corners, plant and animal motifs, pentagonal fold-over clasps, and elaborately decorated doublures—the inner sides of the binding covers, accompanied by elaborate trimmings of carved leather, colored paper, and gilding. But above all, this style was distinguished by symmetry. The bookbinder who created the original cover with this pattern used reddish-brown goatskin, real gold, varnish and paint to achieve a symmetrical relationship of elements in his creation.

This artistic ornament of the 17th century. executed in accordance with the rich traditions of artistic crafts developed during the reign of Shah Abbas the Great, the fifth Shah of the Safavid (Safavid) dynasty. This time is known as the Golden Age of Islamic art (750 - 16th century). Shah Abbas recognized the commercial importance of decorative and applied arts, and under him such crafts as the production of glazed tiles, artistic ceramics and textiles flourished. Handwritten books were accompanied by color illustrations, and much attention was paid to the art of bookbinding and the decoration of books.

Although the reign of the Safavid dynasty ended in 1736, the era left behind a remarkable, centuries-long legacy as the dynasty succeeded in both revitalizing the arts of Persia and strengthening the country economically. Among the many treasures of this ancient period, among its cultural achievements, the decorative art of bookbinding shines especially brightly. With our Safavid Bookbinding series, we proudly bring these treasures of bygone centuries into the present.