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 the illustrated manuscript known as *Tuti‑nama* (Tales of a Parrot).
About this work
Overview
The object is a single leaf from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tuti‑nama* (Tales of a Parrot). Rendered on a tan‑colored folio, the page bears densely packed black script in a flowing cursive hand, framed by a thin outer margin and a slightly broader band surrounding the text block.
Subject & Meaning
The manuscript compiles moral and didactic stories, traditionally conveyed through the voice of a parrot. This particular leaf contains a passage of the narrative, though the specific tale cannot be identified without transliteration of the script.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy displays intricate flourishes and occasional underlining, characteristic of Persian or Central Asian manuscript traditions. The ink is uniformly black, applied with a fine reed pen, while the decorative borders are modest, emphasizing the elegance of the script rather than lavish illumination.
History & Provenance
The folio is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, acquired through the museum’s Asian art acquisitions program. Its exact origin, dating, and previous ownership remain undocumented in the available records.
Context
*Tuti‑nama* manuscripts were produced for elite patrons in the Islamic world between the 14th and 18th centuries, serving both as literary entertainment and moral instruction. The refined calligraphic style of this page reflects the high regard for literary arts in those cultural settings.
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
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
