Mountains and Birds

Marriage certificate featuring mountains, birds and geometric border

A blending of watercolor imagery and a formal border design characterize this marriage certificate. A panoramic view of the mountains stretches across the curving top of the certificate, with the archway mirrored in less formal fashion by springtime trees and two swallowtail birds.The trees blend into the formal geometric border which wraps around the three remaining sides of the document.

The couple’s heritage is reflected in the border design and in the Arabic and Persian calligraphy of their names and the intertwined monogram of their first names in gold at the top. The text of the certificate is in delicate italic calligraphy.

Certificate created on archival paper with watercolor painting and border design produced in gouache and color and metallic inks.