Tughra stamp and calligraphy

The Arabic script, and subsequently the art of calligraphy, is held in great esteem by Muslims because Arabic is the language of the Koran. The Arabic text of the Koran is sacred to Muslims and its high status gave rise to an associated respect for calligraphy.

Calligraphy was regarded as the highest form of art in the Ottoman Empire and calligraphers were among the most highly regarded artists. Their status was based on the excellence of their work, but also on the eminence of their teachers.

In addition to the text of the Koran, the best calligraphers were also commissioned to create compositions that could be executed to serve other purposes - the newly introduced postage stamps of the ottoman Empire being just one example.

Abdulfettah Efendi

The Tughra of Sultan Abdulaziz is the centre-piece on the stamps.  It was designed by the celebrated calligrapher Abdulfettah Efendi, who remains famous to this day for his tughra designs. Only in 2011 an Ottoman tughra (below) signed by Abdulfettah Efendi realised £6,250 at Christies.

He is famed also for designing the large Abdulaziz Tughra whilst he was repairing the inscriptions on the interior walls of the Great Mosque of Bursa.

Great Mosque of Bursa

The calligraphy eleswhere on the stamps is in the riqa script and was also executed by Abdulfettah Efendi.

Design features of the 2 kuruş Tughra stamp

Design features of the 5 kuruş Tughra stamp

The script inside the crescent is devoid of any decorations, has few diacritical signs and was written to be clearly understood. The script reads from right to left ‘The sublime Ottoman Empire’.
© John Dunn.