Thuluth
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Thuluth is an Arabic script variety of Islamic calligraphy. The straight angular forms of Kufic were replaced in the new script by curved and oblique lines. In Thuluth, one-third of each letter slopes, from which the name comes. An alternative theory to the meaning is that the smallest width of the letter is one third of the widest part. It is an elegant, cursive script, used in medieval times on mosque decorations. Various calligraphic styles evolved from Thuluth through slight changes of form.
Line in thuluth written by Yaqut al-Musta'simi (d. 1298). Library of Congress.
Mihrab in the winter prayer hall of the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan with inscription in carved stucco in thuluth designed by Haydar (d. 1325/1326)
Mamluk enamelled flask. Its shoulder bears a wide band with a dedication to an unnamed sultan in thuluth. Egypt or Syria, first half of the 14th century. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art.
Opening pages from the Mamluk Qur'an with first verse of Al-Fatiha in monumental thuluth script. Egypt, late 1350s. Egyptian National Library.
Yaqut al-Musta'simi
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Yaqut al-Musta'simi was a well-known calligrapher and secretary of the last Abbasid caliph.
Double page from the Qur’an copied by Ya'qut al-Musta'simi in Baghdad, 1282–1283 AD (681 AH). Main text in Muhaqqaq script, incidentals in Kufic.
Double page of Quran, dated to 1286–1287. Rayhani script. Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
Two pages from the manuscript of "Divan shu’r al-Hadira" (The collected verses of Al-Hadira). Naskh and thuluth script. Freer Gallery of Art
Two pages from the manuscript of the 'Spiritual Words from Greek Philosophy with Sayings of the Philosophers Accompanied with their Portraits' (Al-Kalimat al-Ruhaniyya min al-Hikam al-Yunaniyya fi Kalimat al-Hukama’ wa Ashkalihim). Naskh script. Painting by Mahmud b. Abi'l-Mahasin Al-Qashi. Aga Khan Museum