Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage in Dubai hosted a virtual lecture titled “Masterpieces of Gilding and Ornamentation in Islamic Manuscripts,” presented by Dr. Tamer Mokhtar Mohamed, Professor in the Department of Archaeology at Helwan University, Egypt. The event attracted a distinguished audience of enthusiasts and specialists in the field of Arab-Islamic heritage.
Dr. Tamer discussed the history of manuscript gilding before Islam in ancient civilizations and the Arabian Peninsula, followed by an exploration of its evolution after the advent of Islam. He elaborated on methods of preparing gold, its various types, and the placement of gilding in holy Qur’ans. He also delved into the different styles of ornamentation in Mamluk, Ottoman, and Safavid manuscripts, concluding with a focus on gilding in illustrated Ottoman and Safavid manuscripts.
The session featured an engaging Q&A segment, where attendees posed numerous questions that Dr. Tamer addressed comprehensively. At the end of the lecture, the center expressed its gratitude to Dr. Tamer Mokhtar Mohamed for his outstanding presentation.
