medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
How do you know that it is Arabic, if you can't read it? Maybe it is Persian, Urdhu, Kashmiri, or any of the other languages which use the Arabic script. Perhaps it is not pseudo calligraphy. But you raise a point. Any language in Arabic calligraphy is difficult to read and the calligraphy style may be unique in any instance of it. You just have to know the Arabic script very well, and then studying Arabic book covers--always calligraphy--against the title page--not calligraphy is one technique for becoming familar with the Arabic calligraphy styles.
Clive Holes, _Modern Arabic_ Georgetown UP, 2004; gives a sample of the five most common calligraphic type fonts in use today on page 396.
By the way, most decorative Arabic calligraphy consists of verses from the Qur'an and most of that consists of about 3-4 specific quotes. Perhaps a local mosque might help you.
If you lived closer we could discuss this over coffee. Going to be in Philadelphia anytime soon?
V. K. Inman
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