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 leaf from an early manuscript known as the *Tuti‑nama* or *Tales of a Parrot*.
About this work
Overview
The object is a single leaf from an early manuscript known as the *Tuti‑nama* or *Tales of a Parrot*. It consists of a rectangular sheet of aged paper, its surface yellow‑brown from centuries of use. The page bears black ink calligraphy framed by thin gold borders, with faint blue ruling lines that once guided the scribe.
Subject & Meaning
The calligraphic text appears to be a narrative or poetic composition, typical of the *Tuti‑nama* tradition, which recounts moral tales through the voice of a parrot. Although the specific passage is illegible without specialist analysis, the work likely served a didactic or entertainment function within its original cultural context.
Technique & Style
Gold leaf outlines the page margins, while faint blue lines—probably ruled with a pigment‑based guide—help maintain uniform text blocks.
The script is rendered in a highly ornamental Arabic‑derived hand, characterized by elaborate curls, interlacing motifs, and decorative flourishes that fill the line space. Gold leaf outlines the page margins, while faint blue lines—probably ruled with a pigment‑based guide—help maintain uniform text blocks. The ink’s deep black contrasts with the paper’s warm tone, emphasizing the visual richness of the manuscript.
History & Provenance
The leaf originates from a medieval manuscript tradition that flourished across the Islamic world, where stories of talking birds were popular. The exact date and place of production are not recorded, but the material qualities suggest a creation between the 12th and 15th centuries. The page now resides in a museum collection, having been acquired through a private donation in the early 20th century.
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
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
