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

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, unspecified, 1560
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, unspecified, 1560

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. This object is a painted page from the illustrated manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).

About this work

Overview

This object is a painted page from the illustrated manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Executed in ink on a light‑colored paper, the page measures roughly the size of a standard folio and retains the patina of age that suggests centuries of handling.

Subject & Meaning

The text on the page narrates a segment of the *Tales of a Parrot*, a literary work commissioned for Prince Salim. The dense, flowing script reflects the courtly emphasis on literary elegance, while the story itself was intended to entertain and educate a youthful royal audience.

Technique & Style

Black ink is applied in tightly spaced, curvilinear strokes punctuated by decorative dots, creating a rhythmical line that follows the page margins. A slender red border encloses the composition, providing visual contrast against the beige ground. The calligraphic execution demonstrates the high level of skill prized by scribes of the period.

History & Provenance

The manuscript was produced for Prince Salim, a member of the Mughal court, during the early modern era. Over time the folio entered collections of Islamic art, eventually arriving at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed alongside related pages from the same work.

Artist & collection

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.