Art of Calligraphy

Katı’ art is a traditional decorative art form in which written text and motifs drawn on paper or leather are carved or cut with sharp tools and then adhered onto another surface. Known in Turkish as “kâğıt oyma” (paper carving), this art is referred to in Arabic as “kat’ı,” a term also used during the Ottoman period.

Katı’ art holds an important place among traditional Turkish arts and was particularly employed to enhance the aesthetic value of manuscript bindings.

Katı’ Art and Materials on Leather (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

History

The origins of katı’ art extend back to Central Asia. The earliest examples of this art were not created on paper but on leather, using carving and inlay techniques. These techniques appear in book bindings made by the Uyghurs in the form of carved leather covers. This tradition was transmitted to the Islamic world via Central Asia. The first known examples of paper carving date from the second half of the 15th century during the Timurid and Akkoyunlu periods. From the early 16th century onward, the art developed further under the Safavids and Ottomans. In the Ottoman court, particularly during the reign of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, katı’ art was used as a significant decorative technique.

During this period, important works were produced using katı’ art. For example, the manuscript “Kırk Hadis,” prepared by calligrapher Ali Çelebi in 1540, was executed in katı’ art for Sultan Süleyman’s son Mehmet.^【1】 Another significant work is the book “Gûy u Çevgân,” prepared by Mehmet b. Gazanfer in 1540.^【2】

An Artist Practicing Katı’ Art in the 15th Century (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

The 15th and 16th centuries are regarded as the golden age of this art. The aesthetic developed in Herat and its surroundings quickly spread across Ottoman territories. In katı’ works, calligraphic samples, gold illumination motifs, floral patterns, and geometric decorations were achieved by cutting into paper. Works from this period attracted attention for their aesthetic elegance and technical refinement. Particularly, katı’ pieces combined with calligraphy became an essential decorative element in the page layouts of handwritten books, the inner covers of bindings, and miniature albums.^【3】

From the 17th century onward, the general artistic stagnation observed in Ottoman art also affected katı’ art. Compositions became simpler, corner and border decorations diminished, and large rectangular sunburst motifs came to the foreground. Although 18th and 19th century European-influenced Baroque and Rococo decorative styles introduced new forms to the tradition, the refined elegance of the classical approach gave way to more ornate but technically simplified applications. With the Industrial Revolution and the mechanization of book production, handcrafted decorative techniques gradually fell into obscurity.^【4】

Applications

Katı’ art was primarily used in the bindings and page decorations of handwritten manuscripts. It also appeared in miniature albums, poetry albums, and prayer books. This art was applied to enhance the aesthetic value of manuscripts and to preserve them. Today, this traditional art form is preserved and revitalized as part of cultural heritage.

Technique of Katı’ Art

Katı’ art requires careful and patient work. First, desired motifs are drawn on thin, colored paper or leather. These motifs are then carefully carved or cut using sharp tools. The removed pieces are called “erkek oyma” (male carving), while the remaining hollowed areas are known as “dişi oyma” (female carving). The resulting male and female pieces are adhered onto another surface using a thin layer of starch paste. This process demands both aesthetic sensitivity and technical skill.

Required Materials

The essential materials for katı’ art are as follows:

• Thin, colored paper or leather
• Sharp tools (razor blades, knives, craft knives, etc.)
• Starch paste (used as adhesive)
• Aydınger paper
• Murakka board (for adhering paper pieces)
• Blank notebook pages for drying and flattening

Training Process and Stages

To learn katı’ art, one must attend workshops and courses that teach traditional methods. Due to the high demands of patience and attention, practical training under experienced instructors is essential. Additionally, books and articles written on the subject contribute to theoretical learning. A person wishing to learn katı’ art (paper or leather carving) should follow a systematic, step-by-step approach:

1. Introduction to Basic Knowledge and Conceptual Preparation: One must become familiar with the history, terminology, technical principles, tools and materials, and exemplary works of katı’ art.
2. Acquisition of Tools and Basic Manual Skills: Direct experience with the tools and materials used in katı’ art is essential. This stage is critical for developing “hand familiarity.”
3. Practice with Simple Motifs: The student begins by practicing with simple motifs such as geometric shapes and floral patterns.
4. Study of Works and Copying Examples: The student copies small sections from classical works by drawing, cutting, and adhering them, striving to approach the original compositions. During this phase, Ottoman-era book bindings, murakka leaves, and classical manuscript decorations are particularly important.
5. Creation of Original and Unique Works: The student begins producing original works by developing their own motif designs. Surface treatment, color and paper selection, and compositional balance become crucial at this stage.
6. Exhibition, Evaluation, and Feedback: The produced works are evaluated by instructors within the workshop or course environment.
7. Specialization and Mastery-Level Work: The student may specialize in a particular motif repertoire or style, such as botanical motifs, landscape motifs, or geometric motifs.
8. Continuous Practice, Research, and Development: Katı’ art is a pursuit requiring patience and consistency. The student should dedicate a set amount of time daily to practice. Studying works, following art historical literature, building a motif archive, and experimenting with new techniques are also vital components of this process.

Current Status

Katı’ art is currently regarded as a traditional art form at risk of being forgotten. However, various cultural institutions and artists are actively working to preserve and transmit this art to future generations. In particular, community education centers and art workshops play a vital role in teaching and practicing katı’ art. As a result, katı’ art is being rediscovered and increasingly favored once again among traditional Turkish arts.

The art of Katı' holds significant aesthetic and cultural value. This traditional art form involves a meticulous process requiring attention to detail and great skill.

Students practicing Katı' Art (Generated by Artificial Intelligence.)

Today, preserving this art and transmitting it to future generations is essential for safeguarding cultural heritage. Throughout history, Katı' has remained one of the key components of Turkish-Islamic artistic heritage, symbolizing elegance, patience, and manual craftsmanship.