Gold-Damascened Steel Calligrapher’s Scissors.

Persia/Iran, 19th century

length: 24,5cm

Gold-inlaid calligrapher’s scissors from nineteenth century, The handles are of geometric squared form leading to a damascened section and then to the long, concave blades.

Scissors are damascened with gold dense foliage patterns on both sides and blades show twins central fullers . Korans and indeed any other books or documents had to be written by hand prior to the advent of Arabic typeset. Scissors such as these were part of the calligrapher’s tools of trade. They were used to cut paper sheets to the correct size prior to binding. Such scissors were used to cut only the finest paper.

Handles are made of brass while blades are made of steel that shows a blue overtone color.

Excellent overall conditions with no damage to note. No loss to the fine gold overlay and no dents to the steel parts. Solid brass handles