Pseudokufic—Imitation of Kufi Writing in European Art
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Abstract
Arabic calligraphy, especially the Kufi script, began to penetrate the artistic culture of Western Europe from the end of the 8th century. Pseudokufiya is a decorative imitation of Arabic script without real meaning, widely used in European painting, architecture and decorative art from the 10th to the 16th century. The article examines examples of such ornaments by European masters, their connection with Islamic influence and their role in conveying a universal Christian message. Special attention is paid to how the West perceived Arab culture through form rather than content, reflecting the multifaceted relationship between the Islamic East and the Christian West.
For citation
Olimov A.N., Al-Zahraoui M.A. Pseudo-kufic — Imitation of Kufi Writing in European Art // Bulletin of the Bolgar Islamic Academy, 2025, no. 3 (11), pp. 13–27.
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5. Zakryvayushchaya plita so lʼvom [The closing plate with a lion]. (in Russian) Available at: https://thegetty.tumblr.com/post/84556230446/this-is-a-closure-slab-which-would-have-been (accesed 08.11.2025).
6. Irahim al-Abyari. Al-Mawsua al-Quraniyya [Encyclopedia of the Quran]. Cairo, 1405, vol. 1. (in Arabic)
7. Kaya E.Pseudo-Buddhist ornament in Byzantine art. International Association of Social Science Research, 2017.
8. Mack R.E.From the Bazaar to the Piazza: Islamic Trade and Italian Art, 1300–1600. USA, 2001.
9. Psevdokufiicheskiy ornament. [Pseudokufic ornament]. (in Russian) Available at: https://bigenc.ru/c/psevdokuficheskiiornament‑60c296?ysclid=me74gw0we6421896047 (accessed 08.11.2025).
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11.Pseudokufic writing. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudo-Kufic (accessed 08.11.2025).
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