Husn Ul Khat. Calligraphy and Mughal Techniques Inspired Jewelry: Degree project by Qurat-ul-ain Ali

This thesis is submitted to Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design in partial fulfillment of the degree of BS 4-Year Jewelry Design and Gemological Science in the year of 2012 by Qurat-ul-ain Ali.

The Mughal period is famous for its high-quality jewelry and craftsmanship, especially its Kundan and Meenakari techniques. As we go into the depth of Mughal history we discover that reading, writing, and calligraphy flourished during this era. The particular style of calligraphy Khat-e-Sulus has been seen on the walls of Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar and on other great monuments from the Mughal Era. Islamic calligraphy, a famous, rich and an interesting art form contains its own value and importance in Art and design since its inception.

The Mughals were Muslim conquerors of Turkish and Mongolian descent. It covered 181 years. One of the richest periods in the development of traditional jewelry in India occurred during the Mughal dynasty, from sixteenth to nineteenth century. In this time the Mughal design style affected all fields of art and spread in the entire Indian subcontinent.

Mughal Jewelry Techniques
The Mughal emperors set a new bench mark in techniques and elegance. The traditional techniques of Mughal period are meenakari (enamelling), kundan, granulation, stone carving, and filigree. The design inspiration in Mughal jewelry is mostly from nature.

Calligraphy
It has different writing styles which are called khat. The khat which I hae chosen is “Sulus”. Sulus is mainly a decorative script and takes more space for its impact of largeness and roundness. It developed in Turkey, Egypt, Iraq and Syria and has been the favourite with all the great calligraphers.
The first reason of selecting this topic is that the mughal jewelry which is being made now a days has typical and seen motifs where as I will contemporarize the designs with new ideas. One of the reasons of selecting this topic is that I want to introduce scripture inspired jewelry, so that people of other countries would also understand and appreciate the history and cultural importance of our language.


My jewelry collection is inspired by the Mughal period and pays tribute to its exquisite techniques of Kundan andMeenakari, and their art of calligraphy. The collection consists of four wearable pieces and one non-wearable object. Ring, earrings, pendant, brooch and a feather pen. Used Urdu words and their radial compositions in my designs.
/ Qurat-ul-ain Ali


Table of Contents
Attestation of Authorship
Acknowledgements
Abstract

Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Objective of Study
1.3 Research Question
1.4 Summary of Research

Chapter 2
Review of Literature
2.1 Significance of Research

Chapter 3
Conceptual Framework
3.1 Concept

Chapter 4
Methodology
HUSN UL KHAT
4.1 Research Method
4.2 Sample Size
4.3 Research Procedure

Chapter 5
Process Development
5.1 Research Process
5.2 Sketching Process
5.3 Element Development Process
5.4 Product Development Process
5.5 Manufacturing Process

Chapter 6
Data Analysis
6.1 Questionnaire Analysis

Chapter 7
Conclusion
Appendix
References


>> Read the complete thesis Mughal Jewelry Techniques and Calligraphy
 

About the author

Qurat-ul-ain Ali, a qualified jewelry designer, graduated from Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design in 2012 with Distinction in Thesis. After graduating, she joined Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design as a Lecturer where she is currently employed. Qurat is also working as a jewelry artist, continuing her practices of calligraphy into jewelry forms.