Decortype › Paper, Painting & Prints › Calligraphy & Marbling

Ottoman marbled paper (ebru)

Ottoman & Central Asia tradition · 2 examples · indicative market tier: $5k–50k (serious collector)

Paper marbling is a method of aqueous surface design, which can produce patterns similar to smooth marble or other kinds of stone. The patterns are the result of color floated on either plain water or a viscous solution known as size, and then carefully transferred to an absorbent surface, such as paper or fabric. Through several centuries, people have applied marbled materials to a variety of surfaces. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

A marbled picture of Rustam catching Rakhsh
A marbled picture of Rustam catching Rakhsh, c. 1650
Cleveland Museum of Art
Poetry Fragment (Qit'a) written in Nasta'liq Script
Poetry Fragment (Qit'a) written in Nasta'liq Script, Safavid dynasty (1501–1722)
Art Institute of Chicago

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.