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

The calligrapher employed a fine black ink on paper that has acquired a slight yellowish patina with age. Letters are rendered with a blend of connected and isolated forms, characteristic of Persianate scripts of the period. The decorative red‑gold border frames the text, adding a subtle visual emphasis without overwhelming the script.

The manuscript originates from the Mughal Empire of the early 17th century, a time when Persian literary traditions were flourishing at the imperial court. The folio entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art through acquisition in the 20th century, where it is preserved as part of the museum’s South Asian holdings.

*Tales of a Parrot* belongs to a broader genre of illustrated books created for royal patrons, combining literary content with ornamental manuscript art. Such works served both as pedagogical tools for young princes and as displays of the court’s artistic sophistication, integrating Persian literary motifs with local artistic conventions.