Qat'ati, or paper cutting, is one of the delicate handicrafts where the artist designs on paper and then cuts the pattern using scissors. Stay with Saeed News to get familiar with this art.
✂️Introduction to Qat'ati (Paper Cutting)
Qat'ati, or paper cutting, is a fine and precise artistic craft where the artist designs on paper and then cuts out the pattern using scissors or a special knife. By attaching the cut pattern onto a background of a different color, a new piece of artwork is created. This art form, which has been part of Iranian handicrafts for centuries, dates back to the Timurid period, about 400 years ago, and is considered one of the most unique legacies of Persian aesthetics and creativity.
The origin of this art is often attributed to China, but some believe it emerged during the Mamluk period in Egypt and Syria. Its presence in Iran dates back to the Timurid dynasty. Many believe that paper cutting reached its peak around 1500 AD. According to the book "Transformation and Diversity in Islamic Calligraphy," paper cutting in the Islamic world has a long history, originating from the technique of filigree work on leather and paper used to decorate manuscript covers in the Timurid era. Afterward, calligraphers adopted this technique.
There are different theories about the origins of this art. Some suggest it evolved from creating leather and cardboard figures used in "shadow play," while others think it started with the makers of "burnt" covers and later became an independent craft. Another theory is that paper cutting did not originate from any other art but was brought to Iran from another country, particularly China, as the art's history in China is much older than in Iran. Given the historical relationship between Iranians and Chinese during the 7th century, it is likely that this art was introduced from China to Iran.
Qat'ati, or paper cutting, is a beautiful and delicate handicraft. In this art, the artist creates a design on plain or colored paper and then cuts out the pattern with scissors or a special knife called a "shafera." The cut-out pieces are then pasted onto a contrasting background to form the final piece. The equivalent of Qat'ati in English is "paper cutting," and it is also referred to as "paper cuts" or "decoupage work."
In Iran, Qat'ati became integral to bookbinding and manuscript decoration. In ancient manuscripts, the opening and closing pages were often decorated with paper-cut designs, replacing typical motifs like "shamsa" (sun) or "toranj" (medallion). Some Qurans and poetry books were also decorated with these intricate paper-cut designs. For example, a Quran currently in the "Sarkari Rampur" library in India is entirely composed of paper-cut letters and verses mounted on a red background.
The main tool in paper cutting is the paper itself, which should neither be too thin nor too thick. Other tools include scissors or a special knife (shafera), which was also used in bookbinding. Various metal pens with sharp tips are used to cut curves, circles, and fine holes. Additionally, a cutting board is necessary to hold the paper while making precise cuts.
Due to the aesthetic appeal of paper-cut designs, the technique was used to decorate manuscripts, particularly at the beginning and end of books. In some cases, Quranic verses, prayers, and wise sayings were cut from paper and hung on walls or included in albums for blessings and remembrance.
Despite its brilliant past, this art form has faded in Iran due to lack of support. It was initially seen as a children's craft or a folk art, not receiving the attention it deserved from art experts and patrons. In contrast, in some European countries like Poland and Switzerland, paper cutting thrives and is even considered a national art in Poland.
