Brilliance and Finesse

Our Arabic Artistry Zahra cover is inspired by a binding that once contained a precious copy of the Koran. It dates to the 17th century when luxurious Arabic court life helped to inspire a supremely refined design aesthetic. The Zahra binding is emblematic of an era when books were major investments. They were used as valuable donations to charitable foundations, presented as treasured gifts to heads of state and much sought after as status symbols.

Today, the binding is held in the Museum Kunstpalast in Düsseldorf, Germany. It came to the museum from the collection of Dr Franz Joseph Bock (1823–1899), a clergyman, art historian and major book collector.

For fans of: Islamic art and culture, antique book bindings, Gold Inlay, River Cascade, Nova Stella, Fall Filigree