Artwork
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The object is a single page from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The object is a single page from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). It consists of a text block rendered in black ink on a light‑colored parchment, framed by a decorative border in red and gold. The page is presented as a painted representation of a manuscript rather than a functional leaf.
Subject & Meaning
The central element is a continuous passage of verse or narrative written in an unidentified script. The dense, flowing lines suggest a poetic or storytelling function, typical of Persian or Central Asian literary traditions that employed elaborate calligraphy to convey cultural prestige.
Technique & Style
Ink is applied with a fine brush, producing a tightly packed, curvilinear script that emphasizes ornamental flourishes. The surrounding border combines linear red strokes with gold leaf or pigment, creating a contrast that highlights the central text and reflects the aesthetic of illuminated manuscripts.
History & Provenance
The page originates from the *Tuti‑nama*, a work whose exact date and place of production remain uncertain. Its survival as an isolated painted page indicates it may have been removed from a larger codex for study or display, though no specific collection history is recorded.
Context
Manuscript illumination in this region often merged literary content with visual opulence, using color and gilding to enhance the reading experience. The red‑and‑gold border aligns with broader decorative conventions found in medieval Persian and Central Asian book arts.
Artist & collection
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Tuti-Nama (Tales of a Parrot)
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page