Tradition and Science of Persian Ink Making

Drawing on over a decade of meticulous research, this comprehensive book unveils the intricacies of traditional Persian ink making by examining the treatises of Persian master calligraphers. Explore the historical tapestry of calligraphy, get insight into the lives of Persian master calligraphers, and discover the alchemy behind ink construction. The book presents authentic recipes in their original Persian form as well as English, thoughtfully translated by the author for a wider audience. Designed for curators, conservators, librarians, art historians, codicologists, scientists, calligraphers, and Persian, Middle Eastern, and Islamic manuscript studies professionals, and enthusiasts. This book is a tribute to the enduring artistry that has adorned manuscripts for centuries, inviting readers to unlock the secrets and heritage of Persian ink making.

Dr. Sadra Zekrgoo is the recipient of the esteemed Mary Lugton Post Doctoral Fellowship and is undertaking research at the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, The University of Melbourne. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Conservation from the University of Melbourne in 2018 and his M.A. in Conservation of Fine Arts, specializing in paper conservation, from Northumbria University, UK, in 2012. He is an academic, an art conservator, an art curator, and a researcher who has studied traditional Persian writing inks and artist material for over a decade. His scholarly contributions extend beyond academia, notably marked by conducting a series of traditional Persian ink-making workshops initiated in 2015. These workshops are tailored to a variety of audiences, from refugee children and communities, to academics and professionals. The workshops have been conducted at museums and academic institutions, mainly the Islamic Museum of Australia, The University of Melbourne, the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM), State Library of Victoria, and The University of Oxford. His research interests include the historical reconstruction of artist material, non-invasive analysis methodologies for examining manuscripts , and the transference of knowledge through oral tradition.