#calligraphydesk

[farsi-calligraphy]

My writing tools, including quills, reed pens (qalam ney), Chinese brushes, sign painting brush and assorted metal nibs (broad nib, copperplate, quill, wire brush, etc.). These are a sampling of the well-used tools of my daily life as a calligrapher. They are displayed on an antique writing desk from India from the time of the British Raj, which features multiple compartments and closes up as a convenient–if somewhat heavy by modern standards–box. It was decades ago, to be honest. A friend and I spotted both the ebony black box at the same moment. It was perched on a high shelf in Doma’s old shop in Mussoorie, India, and we had a friendly argument over who had seen it first. I must say I pushed harder than was my usual habit. Even then I knew that calligraphy was going to be a big part of my life, and who should have the writing box but the calligrapher. It still accompanies me to calligraphy demonstrations and workshops and is only slightly worse for the wear! S J Thomas https://worldcalligraphy.com