The Bittern - Afghanistan

Purchasing Turquoise Mountain supports entrepreneurship, small business growth and will help to strengthen the Afghan economy.

Artisan: Saboor Omari

This delicate bird belongs to the ancient tradition of ‘zoomorphic calligraphy’, where images of flora and fauna are shaped from words and letters of Arabic or Persian calligraphy. Here the soft feathers of this small wading bird are formed from the lingering strokes of a pen using two decorative Persian scripts: Na’staliq and Shekaste. The form of the bird is shaped from words by Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), known as the ‘poet of the East’:

“How long will you live in dust?
Like ants, living under the ground!
How long do you want to stay on the ground and scratch for seeds?
Learn to fly like a hawk!"

As if spying the ants from the sky, like a bird in flight, the poet focuses on the detail of ants scratching on the ground, and exhorts his reader to break free of drudgery and fly freely like that powerful bird of prey, the hawk. It’s a poem of longing, and personal transformation, but perhaps also alludes to the poet’s dream of political independence from colonial rule.

Paper: 2-color silkscreen on white Arches Cover paper, 200gsm.
Dimensions: 30cm h. x 21cm w.
Edition of 100.

Afghanistan
Turquoise Mountain
Afghanistan was once a great center of civilization found at the heart of the ‘silk road’. Their craft industry, a source of great pride for the Afghan people, suffered greatly after more than three decades of conflict and displacement. Turquoise Mountain trains a new generation... See more products from this Artisan

Shipping

• Free Shipping for all Purchases over $150 (before tax) to USA. Estimated Delivery 2-6 Business Days.
• For Purchases Under $150 (before tax) Shipping is Calculated “Real Time” According to the USPS and FedEx Shipping Matrices. Far + Wide Collective is not responsible for the time or costs associated with customs and other import requirements for shipments outside the USA.
• Flat rate shipping to Canada - Estimated Delivery 2-7 Business Days
• International Shipping Available - Estimated Delivery: Europe 5-12 Business Days and Asia 7-14 Business Days. Far + Wide Collective is not responsible for customs duties or taxes on international shipments, nor is it responsible for delays associated with the import process.
  

Cancellation and Return Policy

• You can make changes to your order up till 24 hours after the purchase has been made.
• We will be happy to offer a full refund (excluding shipping) on unused items returned within 14 days of receipt of delivery.

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+1 647 405 9522
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