Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page

The inscribed text appears to be a narrative or poetic composition, typical of the *Tuti‑nama* tradition, which employed a parrot as a storytelling device to convey moral or didactic themes. While the specific story on this leaf is not transcribed here, such passages generally blend allegory with courtly entertainment, reflecting the literary tastes of Safavid Iran.

The script is rendered in a fluid, cursive hand characteristic of Persian nastaʿlīq calligraphy, executed with a reed pen and black ink. Decorative elements—geometric bands and vegetal motifs—frame the margins, providing visual balance without overwhelming the text. The uniform stroke weight and consistent spacing demonstrate the scribe’s mastery of proportion and rhythm.

Created circa 1560, the page likely originated in a workshop serving the Safavid court or a wealthy patron. Its subsequent ownership trail is undocumented, but the material condition suggests it remained in private collections before entering a museum or institutional setting, where it has been conserved for public display.

During the mid‑16th century, Persian manuscript production flourished under Shah Tahmasp I, who encouraged the arts and the refinement of calligraphic scripts. The *Tuti‑nama* genre, blending prose and poetry with illustrative borders, exemplifies the period’s synthesis of literary and visual culture, catering to an elite audience versed in Persian literary traditions.