Kufic script

E6833
Arabic script calligraphic script

Kufic script is the oldest extant form of Arabic calligraphy, characterized by its angular, geometric letterforms and prominent use in early Qur’anic manuscripts and architectural inscriptions.

Observed surface forms (3)

Surface form As subject As object
Eastern Kufic 0 1
Kufic 0 1
foliated Kufic 0 1

Statements (51)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Arabic script →
calligraphic script →
characteristic angular letterforms →
elongated horizontal strokes →
geometric letterforms →
horizontal emphasis →
minimal curves →
monumental appearance →
thick strokes →
countryOfOrigin Iraq →
developedIn Kufa →
distinctFrom Naskh script →
Thuluth script →
floruitCentury 10th century →
7th century →
8th century →
9th century →
hasVariant Kufic script self-linksurface differs →
surface form: Eastern Kufic

Maghribi script →
surface form: Maghribi Kufic

floriated Kufic →
Kufic script self-linksurface differs →
surface form: foliated Kufic

geometric Kufic →
square Kufic →
influenced Maghribi script →
various regional Kufic styles →
namedAfter Kufa →
periodOfUse early Islamic period →
primaryFunction monumental display script →
religious inscription →
regionOfOrigin Mesopotamia →
relativeAge oldest extant form of Arabic calligraphy →
religiousUse Islamic religious texts →
Qur’an copies →
scriptFamily Arabic script →
typicalMedium ceramic tiles →
metalwork →
mosaic →
parchment →
stone →
stucco →
vellum →
usedForLanguage Arabic language →
usedIn Qur’anic manuscripts →
architectural inscriptions →
ceramic inscriptions →
coin inscriptions →
decorative epigraphy →
early Islamic manuscripts →
textiles →
writingDirection right-to-left →
writingSystem Arabic alphabet →

Referenced by (10)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Nabataean alphabet → ancestorOf → Kufic script →
Thuluth script → developedFrom → Kufic script →
Ruqʿah script → distinctFrom → Kufic script →
Kufa → gaveNameTo → Kufic script →
Arabic → hasCalligraphicStyle → Kufic script →
Arabic calligraphy → hasStyle → Kufic script →
this entity surface form: Kufic
Kufic script → hasVariant → Kufic script self-linksurface differs →
this entity surface form: foliated Kufic
Kufic script → hasVariant → Kufic script self-linksurface differs →
this entity surface form: Eastern Kufic
Maghribi script → influencedBy → Kufic script →
Naskh script → influencedBy → Kufic script →