Quick answer: Before you buy Arabic calligraphy for your home, decide four things: what you want the text to say, whether you want a print or a work made by hand, what size suits the wall, and your budget. At Tashkeel, calligraphy prints from the Salam exhibition cost AED 2,975β3,500 (and AED 14,000 for four works by Wissam Shawkat) in sizes from 40 Γ 50 cm to 100 Γ 140 cm. Works in pigment ink on handmade paper from Wissam Shawkat's Al Wissam Script exhibition start at AED 10,500. For a smaller budget, there's calligraphy on crockery, notebooks and posters from AED 63. Prices and stock change, so check the product page.
Start with the text: what will it say?
Calligraphy is writing first, so the meaning matters as much as the look. Every work in the Salam collection carries an English title that tells you its text or theme. A few examples:
- Phrases of faith and names of God, such as The Name of God 3 by Ibrahim Zaki or The Qur'an by Salma Hesham.
- Words of comfort and patience, such as God is the Protector of the Patient by Ramez Ragab or I leave my matter to God by Abdelrahman Shaheen.
- Single ideas such as peace and love, for example Wissam Shawkat's Peace and Love 2, and Wael Morcos's Peace and Insha'Allah prints.
If you can't read the Arabic, use the product title and ask the team before you buy if you need more detail.
If a work contains a Qur'anic verse or a name of God, many people think about where it will hang and choose a main living space or majlis.
Script and style
Arabic calligraphy is written in several established scripts, from angular Kufic to the flowing Thuluth and Diwani. The script shapes the mood of a work: geometric and calm, or rhythmic and ornate.
Some artists build new letterforms from these traditions. Wissam Shawkat's Al Wissam Script, for example, draws on Eastern Kufic, Thuluth, Diwani Jali and Ottoman tughras, refined by hand over many years.
Print or a work made by hand?
| Calligraphy print (Salam) | Work on paper (Al Wissam Script) | Calligraphy objects | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Artwork printed on Enhanced Matte paper | Pigment inks on treated handmade paper, as described on each product page | Crockery, notebooks and posters carrying an artist's calligraphy |
| Sizes | 40 Γ 50 cm to 100 Γ 140 cm (most 50 Γ 50 cm or 70 Γ 100 cm) | Varies, e.g. 45 Γ 85 cm | A5 notebooks, mugs, plates, posters |
| Price (AED) | 2,975β3,500; 14,000 for Wissam Shawkat works in the collection | From 10,500 | 63β336 |
| Best for | A statement piece at an accessible price | Collectors | Gifts and everyday use |
Always read the product description for the medium, date and size.
Choosing a size
Calligraphy usually works best with space around it. The square 50 Γ 50 cm Salam prints suit a narrow wall, a hallway or a pair hung side by side. The 70 Γ 100 cm prints can anchor a living room or majlis wall on their own. Measure the wall, then compare it with the size listed on the product page.
Calligraphy for smaller budgets
- Crockery from the Al Wissam Script exhibition: the Exhibition Mug (AED 99.75), the Exhibition Set of mug and plate (AED 204.75) and the Plate Set of 4 (AED 336).
- Sketchbook and poster: Wissam Shawkat's If time does not obey you sketchbook (AED 63) and poster (AED 160).
- Typography posters by Ibrahim Zaki, such as Ahwak (silkscreen, AED 250).
- The exhibition catalogue, Al Wissam Script (AED 75).
Checklist before you buy
- Do you know what the text says, and are you comfortable with where it will hang?
- Is it a print or a work made by hand? Check the medium on the product page.
- Does the size fit the wall, with space around it?
- Is it framed? Most works arrive unframed unless the page says otherwise.
- Delivery and returns: original artworks are excluded from change-of-mind exchanges, so be sure before you order. Damage in transit must be reported within 2 days.
Who are the artists?
The Salam exhibition brings together calligraphers and designers including Abdelrahman Shaheen, Ahmad Mansour, Ahmad Mattar, Ali Aziz, Anas Alaa, Ehab ELhamzawy, Ibrahim Zaki, Mahmoud Abdelghany, Muharam Hassan, Ramez Ragab, Salma Hesham, Sami ElDabae, Toka Assal, Wael Morcos, Waleed Abo Douh and Wissam Shawkat. See the artist pages for Wissam Shawkat and Ibrahim Zaki.
Related guides: Where to Buy Art Prints and Posters in Dubai Β· What to Buy to Start Drawing or Painting
Frequently asked questions
How much does Arabic calligraphy art cost?
At Tashkeel, calligraphy prints are AED 2,975β3,500, with four Wissam Shawkat works in the Salam collection at AED 14,000. Works on handmade paper from the Al Wissam Script exhibition start at AED 10,500. Objects carrying calligraphy, such as mugs, plates and notebooks, cost AED 63β336.
What size calligraphy should I buy for a living room?
For a single piece on a main wall, 70 Γ 100 cm is the most common large size in the Salam collection. For smaller walls or pairs, choose 50 Γ 50 cm.
Can I see the works before buying?
Contact Tashkeel on +971 4 336 3313 or tashkeel@tashkeel.org to arrange it.
Is calligraphy a good gift?
Yes, especially for Ramadan, Eid, weddings and new homes. Check that the text suits the occasion and the person.
