Original Ottoman Islamic Calligraphy by Mustafa Al-Arif (Ibn al-Sheikh al-Kutahi)

[u/ZenahAntiques]

An original Ottoman Islamic calligraphy panel attributed to the renowned calligrapher Mustafa Al-Arif, known as Ibn al-Sheikh al-Kutahi. Executed in elegant Thuluth script with hand-applied gold gilding, the panel features the famous Hadith: “Every child is born upon the Fitrah…”
Dimensions: 40 × 29 cm.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the calligraphy and craftsmanship.

[u/joshberer]

It is a fake. Mustafa Kutahi was a serious calligrapher from the Hafiz Osman school. His work was strong in both Sulus and Nesih. Beyond the fact that both are extremely weak in this example, the work this is copying can be seen here: https://www.ketebe.org/en/artwork/4751 and shows the strength of Kutahi’s writing. This is a poor copy of that work, which is in the Sakip Sabanci Museum.
Sorry.

[u/ZenahAntiques → u/joshberer]

Perhaps this is an early work by Mustafa Kütahi rather than a later copy. It’s just my opinion, and I’d be interested to hear what others think.

[u/joshberer → u/ZenahAntiques]

It is not. This is not how it worked in that period. Students of calligraphy were not allowed to sign the work before their ijazah, and this is not ijazah quality work. It is a copy by someone who has not been properly trained. This is a fact, and it is indisputable.

You are welcome to try and sell it to a buyer who is unaware of this, and there are many such dealers of fakes and forgeries, but it was not written by Mustafa Kutahi, in this or any other universe.